Part 8 to be continued
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Part 8 Doc Barnstone carefully examined the boy before Rachel returned with the hot water and bandages. He frowned when he saw the ugly marks on Buck's wrist and the swollen hands. It would be a while before the boy would be able to use them properly, he thought before concentrating on the wounds on Buck's back. He'd taken care of flogged people before and wasn't too surprised at the sight when they slowly turned Buck over. The boy moaned when they moved him, but didn't wake up. Rachel gasped when she saw Buck's back and for a moment she had to turn away. "Ain't so bad as it looks, Rachel," Doc said soothingly as he looked the wounds over. With a frown he checked the boy's pulse again and sighed. "What's wrong?" Rachel asked as she dared to look at Buck again. "Well, the wounds seems clean enough, only a few," Doc Barnstone pointed, " is ulcerous." "But ---?" "But he's getting a temperature, which I suspect is due to traumatic fever. Now, that ain't so bad as long as we can keep the wounds clean and let them heal." "What 'bout the ulcerated ones?" "A bit trickier. We need to keep'em bandaged and prevent them from spreading to the other wounds. I'll get you something to keep 'em clean. If that doesn't work, we'll try and cut off the bad parts. That will leave scars of course, but we better wait and see how this will work first." "What about other scars?" "Doubt it. He's got flesh that heals readily from what I remember." Doc smiled at her. " I'll stitch up the worst ones and the others don't appear to be too deep. I think he'll be OK, Rachel." "Thanks, Doc." "Get that water over here so we can start to clean these wounds." Buck slowly woke up. He became increasingly aware of an intense pain in his back and in his hands. He tried to fix his eyes on something but everything was blurry. As the pain rose to an unbearable level, he moaned. At first he wondered where the sound came from until he realised that it came from him. The mist in front of his eyes seemed to clear a little and he saw that he was laying in a bunk which reminded him an awful lot of his own bunk. He tried to remember how he had managed to get here, when another wave of unbearable pain seemed to emerge from his back. He tried to rise, only to be gently pushed down again by a hand on his shoulder. The movement caused another attack of pain. "Keep'im still, Rachel, or I'll don't see what I'm doing." Buck closed his eyes. There seemed to be two persons in the room, and one was Rachel. Soon he discovered that the increased pain came from the other person's movements on his back. He opened his eyes again, only to still se a white mist. "Buck?" Rachel's voice seemed to reach him from afar, and he tried to answer. But all he could accomplish was another moan. As the world around him became clearer, the pain became more distinct and was so intense that he thought he would die. He could hear voices around him and he knew of them were Rachel's. He had no idea whose the other was. Again he tried to rise, but again a gentle hand pushed him back. "It's all right, Buck." Rachel said gently. "Doc's here with me." As she said it, he felt a pain so severe that he was sure he would die and he screamed in agony. "Damn," Doc muttered and reached for a bandage. Rachel looked at him for a moment and then she went over to the other side of the bunk so that she could see Buck's face. "It's all right," she said wiping his face with a wet napkin. Buck breathed in short gasps, in an futile attempt to control the pain. "It's almost over." Buck looked at her with unseeing eyes. He tried to say something, but he couldn't get a word pass his lips. Instead he sank down with his head as if that would help ease the pain. It didn't work and the more Doc continue his work the worse the pain seemed to be. Rachel tried to help as much as she could but there was nothing she could do. Doc's work had to take the time it took, and even if the worst pain would subside, there would still be enough pain to keep him awake. She had asked the Doc for some laudanum, but he had sadly shook his head and said it wasn't something to consider. He needed to know if the infection spread and the only way he could do that was if Buck was aware of the pain. He apologised, but said there was no other way. Rachel sat in silence, now and then wiping away the sweat-beads on Buck's forehead and gently stroking him over the head. Her heart sank when she saw his face twist in pain and wished it were something she could do. She thought it took an eternity before Doc was finished and rose. "That's all I can do, Rachel. Now it's up to the boy." "Thanks, Doc." "I think we better turn him around." "Should he be resting on his back?" "Won't do any harm, in fact in might be better to put some pressure on those wounds. Might help stop the bleeding." "OK," Rachel nodded and together they help Buck to rest on his back. The movement caused him almost to pass out again, but the feeling disappeared and he sighed with relief. He needed to know what was going on around him. "What?" Teaspoon asked and looked at the black rider. "Well, I don't know if it's worth anything, but it seems that Mr. Craven haven't always been a farmer." Noah looked over at the bunkhouse. "What's Doc doin' here?" "We'll tell you later. Now what's this about Craven?" "Can I get something to drink first?" Noah pleaded. "That road is mighty dusty." "Can't see why not. Get yourself something to drink and we'll see to your horse. Then I want the complete story, OK?" "Hear you, Teaspoon." Doc stepped out on the porch as the riders came back. Noah was already sitting down, now and then taking a sip of fresh water from the bucket next to him. "How is he, Doc?" Teaspoon asked. "Not worse than expected. He's running a bit of a fever and got a few infected wounds, but I've instructed Rachel on how to take care of it. The only complication I can think of is if the infection spreads and the fever rises. But there's no need to speculate now. We'll just let the healing take it's time and we'll see." "What happened?" Noah asked with a frown in his face. "Buck got caught on Craven's land and they flogged him for it." Jimmy replied. "Flogged him?" Noah repeated with a strange expression his face. "What do you mean 'flogged him'?" "They used a whip on him," Jimmy replied, "just as the one you're always wearing." Noah jumped to his feet immediately, and walked over to Doc. "Can we see him?" "Well, yes, but ---" Before Doc had finished Noah was already in the bunkhouse followed by the others, who watched in wonder as Noah walked over to his bunk and from his bag pulled out a small jar. "What are you doin'?" Lou asked. "Sally gave me this," Noah said pensively. "I used to tell her that I wouldn't need it, but she insisted I kept it. Said it had been handed down from her grandmother." "Then what is it?" Jimmy said impatiently. "Sally said it healed and soothed wounds from whipping. And she knew what she was talking about too," he added sternly. "I just never thought I'd ever had to use it." "What's in it?" Lou wanted to know as Doc stepped forward. "Don't know. She never told me." "I don't know if I can allow that, son" Doc said hesitantly. "If you don't know what's in that--" "Sally knew what she was talking about, Doc," Noah repeated calmly. "She'd been a slave, and seen enough whippings - I would trust her." Doc looked hesitantly at the small jar as he took it from Noah. Looking at it he removed the lid and smelled the contents. "I s'pose it can't hurt," he said and shrugged as he handed the jar back. "I've got to be back in town. Let me know if he gets any worse." "We'll do that, Doc," Teaspoon assured him as the man turned and walked out the door. Rachel, who had been sitting by Buck's side rose and walked over to the riders. "What's goin' on?" she asked in a low voice. "If you're gonna have an argument, I suggest you take it outside. Buck need to get some rest and it will be easier if you ain't disturbing him." "Sorry 'bout that, Rachel," Noah said apologetic. "I've got something that might help though." He held out the jar. "You're sure?" "Pretty sure. I've never used it, but Sally was very convincing." Rachel smiled. "From what I've heard Sally was one to be trusted - and since I've yet to learn how to make bread better than she did, I'll try anything she would have suggested. How does it work?" "It's a lotion of some sort. I'll help you." "Thank you." Rachel turned to the others. "I believe you've got chores to do? And Kid, Ike should be back any moment now, and you're up next. Last time I saw Katy, she wasn't ready." The riders reluctantly left the room and placed themselves on the porch. Kid looked embarrassed at them. "I forgot that it was my turn," he said. "I've got something to do - Jimmy, can you take this one?" Jimmy shook his head. "Not this time, Kid. Sorry, but I've got some things to see to myself. Why don't you ask Lou?" Kid bit his lip. That was not what he wanted but as Jimmy had put the question, it would look strange if he didn't ask. Unhappily, he turned to Lou. "Lou?" Lou looked suspiciously at him. What was so important that he needed to change his ride? She wondered as she shook her head. "Sorry, I can't." She didn't feel like disclosing the details, one reason that she didn't really have a reason. She just didn't want to go. Not when Kid acted this strange. She suddenly remembered that she had planned to talk to Rachel. But she'd better wait; with Buck injured Rachel would have enough worries, she pondered. Finished helping Rachel, Noah stepped out and joined them. "Noah, can you take my ride?" Kid ask although he knew the answer. Noah looked unbelievingly at him. "I've just came back from Denver - do you think I look like I wanna ride out again?" he asked with a frown. "I just asked," Kid muttered and realised that he had no choice. "I s'pose I get Katy ready." He rose and walked over to the stable. "You were 'bout to tell us 'bout Craven, son." Teaspoon said as Kid had left for the stable. Jimmy, Noah and Lou just sat on the porch watching the sky. Rachel had left the bunkhouse, telling them that Buck was resting. So they had nothing else to do than to wait for Ike to return. Rachel had a few errands in town, but none of them felt like going. They knew the news would be all over town by now, thanks to Ambrose Emery and although they didn't like it, there would be some that, even if they wouldn't support Craven's action, they wouldn't blame Craven either. Not to mention that some of Craven's men might be there. Noah especially had no desire to meet them right now. There would surely be questions about what Buck had been doing at Cravens and that was also something they preferred not to discuss. Rachel realised this and she had not prompted on them to go into town. Noah looked at Teaspoon. He had forgotten that he hadn't tell them what he had found out. "Well, Craven hasn't always been a farmer," he started. "In fact, I run into a sergeant in Denver that had a lot to say about Craven. Seemed they'd served together a couple of years ago. He hadn't forgotten about him." "I suspected that he had some connection with the army," Teaspoon murmured. "So what did this man have to say?" "The man's name's Norton. He started his way in the army as a private in the 6th regiment of Kansas. There he first run into Craven - Craven was his sergeant. Norton said that at first everybody had liked Craven. Sure, he was hard on the men, but they trusted him. But then Norton said that something changed - if you did anything wrong, Craven would come down on you like a hawk and the punishment would be severe. After a couple of months Norton begun to fear the man. There was something sinister over the way the punishments were carried out. Norton asked for transfer and was lucky. He got promoted to another unit. He didn't have Craven over him anymore, but he was still in the same regiment. He claims that Craven killed a private by beating him up after the man had made a harmless mistake. He said he was present when the Colonel ruled it as an accident. After that he avoided the sergeant as much as possible. The privates serving under the man was to scared to say anything, but he maintain that the sergeant always managed to get some of the men with him, and if anyone objected, there was always someone there to tell Craven." "How come he left the army?" Teaspoon wanted to know. "Norton said he weren't sure 'bout the exact circumstances. He left the regiment, and from then he only heard the rumours. Apparently Craven didn't change. Then the regiment was called out to service during one of the peace talks with the Sioux. For some reason, the chief's son stayed as a hostage in the fort, while the chief returned to the village. The orders were that the son would be treated well. Norton claimed that what happened that night is unclear, but when morning came the chief's son had been beaten to death. Nobody could be held responsible, but there was a suspicion that it was someone from Craven's group, since they were in charge of the guards. Craven refused to say anything and was dishonourable discharged. Norton was convinced that it was Craven himself that had done the beating. He run into Craven once afterwards - said the man was bitter with the army, claiming that none of his men had done anything wrong, and filled with hatred against Indians. Norton thought he heard that Craven taken up farming, but he claimed that Craven always been a troublemaker. When I told him that Craven was farming close to Sweetwater, Norton told me to watch out. He said that Craven could turn anything into a battle camp. Claimed the man had a smooth mouth and could talk anybody into almost anything." Noah ended his story. "Looks as he was right." he added. "Well, so far, there are just a few men that seemed to follow Craven around." Teaspoon said. "But I wouldn't say that I ain't worried. A thing like this could divide the town into two parts." "The people in Sweetwater got more sense than listening to Craven," Lou objected. "Do they?" Noah looked at her. "Do you remember when Colonel Curtis accused Buck of murder? How many stood up to defend him?" "Only a few accused him," Lou defended the town. "Well, this isn't just about Buck now is it? Craven isn't just accusing Buck - he's accusing a whole tribe. How many will stand up for them?" "If the tribe has attacked the homestead, there's no reason to stand up for them," Jimmy muttered. "As long as the town realises that Buck hasn't got anything to do with it, I don't care." "You still believe the boy was attacked by Indians?" Noah looked surprised at Jimmy. "Why would I change my mind?" "You saw what they did to Buck for a start." "So the boy's father is scum- that's nothing to do with the boy, or his story." "You really believe that?" "Yeah." Jimmy rose. "Where are you going?" Teaspoon asked as Lou called out. "Rider comin'!" Ike rode in as Kid came out from the barn, mounting Katy in the process. The mochilla was quickly exchanged and Kid headed out from the station. Ike held in his mount and smiled a greeting at the others. Teaspoon rose and went to meet the boy, sighing, as he knew he had to tell Ike what had happened last night. Jimmy looked after them and headed of to the stable. Lou rose and followed him. "Where are you goin' Jimmy?" she asked as he saddled his horse. "To Craven's." "Are you crazy? What are you going to do there?" "I promised the boy I would come back." "You can't go there now!" "I gave my word, Lou. Nothing had happened that has changed that." "Nothing? And what 'bout Buck?" "What about him?" "What do think he'll say when he hear you've gone over to Craven's?" "I ain't going over to see Craven. I'm worried 'bout the boy, that's all." "I can't believe this." Lou muttered. Suddenly Jimmy turned and looked at her. "Then come with me. Why don't you listen to the boy yourself? Then you'll see he ain't lying." Lou looked at Jimmy with a frown. She was taken aback by his direct question and didn't know what to answer. When she saw the honesty in Jimmy's eye, something in her changed and she sighed. "All right," she muttered. "But we'll only see the boy, nothing else, right?" Jimmy nodded. But Lou wasn't ready yet. "What if we run into Craven? What are we going to tell him?" "Nothing." "Well, I ain't so sure. If he says anything 'bout Buck ---" "We'll leave." Lou bit her lip, still not sure that this was right. "You're sure, Jimmy --- I mean ---" "You don't have to come, Lou." Jimmy interrupted her shortly. "Damn it, Jimmy, I'm coming!" Lou walked past him and quickly saddled Lightning. Jimmy smiled at her as she rode up next to him. "We'll be back later Teaspoon," Jimmy called as they past Teaspoon that was talking to Ike, who had dismounted and a bit pale looked anxiously at the stationmaster. "Where are you going?" Teaspoon yelled after the riders, but as he didn't get any reply he turned to Ike again. "Don't worry, son," he said gently and placed a hand on Ike's shoulder. "Doc said he would be all right and Noah had some lotion from Sally that seemed to have helped some. He just need some time." Rachel went round the barn only to find Teaspoon sitting and examining some of the reins to the horses. "Have you seen Lou or Jimmy anywhere?" she asked. "They rode out of here half an hour ago," Teaspoon replied. "Why?" "I really need some things from town," Rachel said with a frown. "Ike and Noah are still here." "Ike's tired from his run. Besides I don't wanna send one of them into town." "Why not?" Rachel sighed. "There sure to be some talk in town, Teaspoon. It will only upset Ike and as for Noah, well, I don't want him to get in trouble too. If the townspeople are rallied up over this ---" "If they are, they're upset 'bout Indians, Rachel. Last time I looked, Noah was black." "You know what I mean, Teaspoon. There are certain to be some remarks 'bout coloured in general too, and some might wanna start trouble." Teaspoon looked up at her. "You certainly don't think much about the people in town do you?" he sighed. "Not now I don't." Rachel replied. "All right. I've got to get back anyway. Give me the list and I'll send back Barnett with the goods." "Thank you, Teaspoon." Lou and Jimmy looked carefully around as they approached Craven's place. They were sure he still had guards out and soon enough they saw it was true. On the road ahead of them two riders watched them with their rifles ready. "Maybe we should turn around," Lou whispered to Jimmy. "Don't worry. They don't dare to do anything." Lou raised an eyebrow and looked at him, but Jimmy just urged his horse forward. "Hold it! What do you want?" "Just came to see how's the boy's doin'," Jimmy replied. The men looked at each other and exchanged a few words. One of them turned his horse around and headed back to the farmhouse. "You just wait here," the other said nervously. Jimmy shrugged and look at Lou. They didn't have to wait long. Soon Craven appeared before them. "What do you want?" he asked and eyed them suspiciuously. "I promised James I would come back and check on him." "Hunter told you to come?" "I said I promised James. Teaspoon has nothing to do with this." "They're lying. Him there, Hickok, is a gunfighter. Bet they're here to get revenge for that Indian friend of their." McComb said and spotted on the ground. Craven looked with renewed interest at Jimmy. "So you're a gunfighter, he? Is it true what he says? You're here to get even?" "That's up to Teaspoon," Jimmy replied. "I just came to see James, 'cause I promised to." Craven looked at the two riders before him and a thought slipped through his mind. He smiled. "Well, if you made a promise to my son, I wouldn't want you to break it. Just head straight up to the house." As Jimmy and Lou had passed the men, McComb turned and looked unbelievingly at Craven. "What was that 'bout, Boss?" Although they didn't receive any pay from Craven, the men had started to call him 'Boss', a name Craven hadn't mind. "I just got an idea, McComb. Maybe those Express riders aren't as close as everybody been thinking." When Teaspoon arrived into town he found a small gatherng outside his office. Not that it surprised him, he had suspected as much. As he came closer he heard Barnett's voice, desperately trying to explain that the marshal would be back any minute now. The relief when he saw Teaspoon ride was obviuos and as Teaspoon dismounted, Barnett fled from the commotion back into the office. A number of voices reached him as he stepped up on the porch. "Calm down, people!" he said and raised his hands to get their attention. "I'll hear what you have to say, just take it easy!" When the voices silenced he looked out over the crowd. "Now," he said, "what's goin' on here?" "Why ain't that half-breed arrested?" a man rose his voice and a mumbling show it's consent. "There ain't any proof of any crime," Teaspoon replied. "What do you mean, marshal? Emery said there were several witnesses." "Well, I haven't heard any witnesses, but I wouldn't mind that they stepped forward. Then maybe they could answer who beat the boy up, too." A tensed silence settling in the crowd. Nobody wanted to risk an indictment of abuse, even if it meant the arrest of a horse-thief. "What 'bout the Kiowa then?" Thompkin asked. "You still haven't done anything 'bout the attack on Craven's family!" "I've no intention of starting a war. My boys are gonna look for the horses. If where lucky we'll find them and without any bloodshed. Besides, there's been no incident for a couple of days. There's no need to panick. It might just have been boys trying to show off. No reason for a war in my opinion." "They shot at a boy!" "He's not seroisly hurt. I know you're upset people, but there's no reason to call in the army!" "I'd say you're to late, marshal!" Thompkins said. "There was an extra town meeting this morning. A messenger has already been sent to Ft. Laramie." Teaspoon looked in anger at the crowd. "A town meeting? Why wasn't I told?" The people looked at each other, when a voice cut through the silence. "Isn't that obvious, Hunter? We couldn't tell you. With a traitor in among your friends, we couldn't risk that the Kiowa finds out 'bout the army movement." Teaspoon looked at Craven, who calmly sat in his wagon. Looking behind Craven, Teaspoon found himself staring into the uncomfortable faces of Lou and Jimmy. |
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