The Indians started their day off the way they normally do by gathering nuts, berries and herbs,while the village hunters went in search of meat. Several women and children sat near a fire mixing herbs and spices together in a wooden pot. Suddenly there was a thunderous roar of hooves coming down the dirt path entering the village. Seven white men raced into the Indian village firing their guns at anything they saw. Once they made sure everyone was dead they headed out of the village.

Mean while at the Pony Express cabin

Buck raced down the dirt road. "Rider coming." Shouted Lou. Ike raced over to his horse and jumped on his horse.

"Here you go Ike." Said Buck handing the mochilla over to him. Ike raced down the road. Buck pulled his horse to a stop, slid down off the saddle and walked inside the cabin. The cabin air was filled with the smell of fresh cooked bread and apple pies baking. Buck walked over to the stove and grabbed the piece of bread.

"Buck that is for supper, and you can't have supper until you go wash up." Said Emma. Buck headed back outside shoving the rest of the bread in his mouth. Emma smiled and returned to her work.

Buck sat on the stairs beside Cody. "So how was your ride?" Asked Cody twisting a piece of rope.

Buck nodded "It's was as good as it gets." He said. Cody smiled.

Ike rode down the trail at a fast rate. Gunshots and cries filled the air. Ike pulled his horse to a stop. The gunshots were coming near the woods. He raced his horse across the plains to a small wooden area. Thick black smoke rose into the air. Ike rode down the dirt path and came to an Indian village. Bodies of Women and Children laid on the ground. He looked around to see if the men were still there but they had already left. Ike could hear horses coming down the path. The hunting party was returning from their hunt. Ike turned his horse and raced back down the path out of the village.

"Rider coming." Called Buck.

"It's about time." Said Kid standing up. Cody got on his horse and grabbed the mochilla from Ike and raced down the road. Ike stopped his horse and slid down off the saddle.

"What took so long?" Asked Buck. Ike stormed inside and slammed the door behind him. "What is that all about?" Whispered Buck. Lou shrugged her shoulders.

Sweetwater

Teaspoon and the Pony Express riders rode down town to help Emma load up vegtables, flour and wheat unto the wagon. Sam, Sweetwater's marshall walked over to the wagon. "Hey Sam." Said Emma.

Sam smiled "Hey Emma." He said.

"What's wrong?" Asked Emma.

"Several Indian villages have been destroyed, women and children have been murdered while the hunting parties are out." Said Sam softly.

"Oh my gosh, how terrible." Said Emma in shock. Sam nodded. Ike threw the grain unto the wagon and raced down the road.

"Ike." Called Buck in concern.

"Come on Buck, let's go see what's bothering him." Said Teaspoon.

Ike sat on the stairs of one of the buildings. He had an angry expression on his face. Buck and Teaspoon walked over to him. "Ike, are you okay?" Asked Teaspoon. Ike shook his head.

"Do you want to talk to us?" Asked Buck. Ike didn't reply.

"Come on Ike." Said Teaspoon.

{I didn't get there in time} Signed Ike sadly.

"Didn't get where in time?" Asked Buck reading his friends hands.

{To the indian village} Signed Ike.

"Did you see what happened?" Asked Teaspoon. Ike nodded slowly.

Teaspoon sighed, looked over at Buck then back at Ike.

Chapter Two

Ike sat in the Marshall's office in front of Sam. "Did you see any of the men?" Asked Sam. Ike shook his head.

{I got there after they left} Ike signed sadly.

Sam looked up at Teaspoon and Buck. "I can't really do anything without the description of the men." He said.

Teaspoon nodded "Thanks Sam, come on guys." He said. Buck and Ike followed out of the office behind him.

Later that evening everyone sat around the table eating supper.

"Buck I want you to stay hidden for a while, just to be safe." Said

Teaspoon. Buck nodded.

{I'll do his runs for him} Signed Ike. Teaspoon nodded.

"Why do you think these men are killing Indians?" Asked Jimmy sticking a spoonful of beans in his mouth.

Teaspoon shook his head "I'm not sure. It may be just because they want to or maybe something happened between them and the Indians once before." He said. "I know it's late but I need a rider to bring a message to Sweetwater for me." He said pulling out a folded piece of paper. Ike stood up and offered to go. "Get the message there then get back." Said Teaspoon.

Ike grabbed his hat and coat and rushed out while shoving the letter in his pocket.

Ike raced his horse down the trail. Lightning flashed through the sky.

Ike arrived in town as it started to rain. He slid off his horse and rushed into the Marshall's office. "Thanks Ike." Said Sam grabbing the letter. "I'll let the other's know about these guys and tell them to watch out for them." Said Sam reading over the letter. Ike nodded and hurried back outside to his horse.

He quickly raced down the trail. The rain was blinding him. He couldn't see a foot in front of him. Suddenly there was a pop and He pulled his horse to a stop. Ike saw several men standing before him. "What's your name boy?" Asked the man aiming his gun at him. Ike sat motionless. "Answer me." Shouted the man. Ike stared at the man. "What are you deaf?" Asked the man.

{My name is Ike} signed at Ike.

The men laughed "I guess we have a dummy here." Said the older man.

"If you know what's good for you you'll leave him be." Said a man behind the other men. The older man looked back and saw Sam standing behind them. "Leave now, before it's too late." Warned Sam cocking his gun in place. The men looked at one another and put their guns away. Slowly they walked over to their horses and got on. "Come on Ike let's go." Said Sam.

Sam and Ike rode on back down the trail towards the cabin.

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