Paul had also tried to talk to Ike, but he wasn’t able to understand the responses. But, to keep away the stillness of the night, Paul continued talking. Soon the topics turned to his family.

"My wife and daughter live back in White Oak. These bandits hit our bank a few weeks ago, taking all the money we had. I’ve been after them, hoping that I would not only get all my money back, but the reward as well. Willy was an expert hunter, and I figured that together, we would be able to take down the whole lot of ya."

Ike listened, nodding. He wished that he could find a way to let Paul know the truth. The man seemed honest, and had already saved his life from that offish Willy. It was times like this where Ike wished he could still speak.

Finally, Paul sat in front of his tent and tossed a twig into the fire. "I wish I could understand you, son. It would make things a lot easier," he said, reading Ike’s thoughts.

Ike watched the twig in the fire, then an idea came to him. He grabbed the twig quickly and waved it in the air to kill the fire on the end of it. Paul watched, his hand going to the gun at his side.

Ike shook his head, then took the twig and tried to write on the ground. The dirt near the creek was much softer than the road, and so it let words form from where Ike scratched. CAN YOU UNDERSTAND THIS?

Paul nodded. "I am an educated man. I do read."

Ike nodded and scratched out the words, then wrote again. IT WASN’T MY FAULT. THEY ARE HOLDING A WOMAN HOSTAGE.

Paul laughed. "There was never a woman reported with them."

Scratch, scratch, scratch. SHE WAS ALWAYS IN THE SALOON, WITH SOMEONE TO DIVERT ATTENTION.

"Why should I believe you anyway?" Paul asked.

Scratch, scratch, scratch. BECAUSE I LOVE HER AND I NEED TO GET BACK TO RESCUE HER.

Ike looked at Paul with desperation in his eyes. He really did need to get back to Julie. If Wilson tried to hurt her, he wouldn’t know what to do. He was hoping that Paul would understand what he was feeling, and decide to help him instead.

Neither of them were given too much time to consider this, though, as the sound of a rifle clicking broke the silence. Paul turned and found that he was staring down the rifles barrel. "Well, I think it’s time that I just take the prisoner off your hand, Pauly boy."

Buck was near a creek, letting his horse get a drink when he could hear the rifle cock. Pulling out his pistol, he made his way quietly towards the sound, leaving the horse tied to a tree.

"Willy," Paul said, standing up. "What the hell you think you’re doing?"

Willy looked at Paul from the sight lens. "I’m taking back what I rightfully caught. Stand in my way and I’ll leave you here for the buzzards."

Paul looked at Ike, then bit his lip. "Go ahead," Paul said, taking a step aside.

Ike looked at the smaller man in shock, as did Willy. Then the older man grunted and took a step forward. At that moment, Paul sprang onto the larger man, knocking him to the ground. They landed in a heap, with Paul on top. He kicked the rifle out of Willy’s hand and then aimed a punch at his face. The larger man, however, reacted fast and rolled out of the way. They rolled back and forth on the ground, each trying to get the upper hand on the other.

Finally, Willy tossed Paul aside and crawled to get his rifle. He cocked it and aimed at the smaller man.

A pistol shot sounded instead. Paul winced, waiting for pain, then realized that it wasn’t a rifle shot. He looked up and saw Buck approaching, his pistol trained on Willy, who lay on the ground with a puddle of blood staining the dirt below him.

Ike jumped up at the sight of his friend, but Paul, not knowing Buck, drew his gun. "What do you want?" Paul asked.

Buck looked at Ike then at Paul. "My friend."

Paul looked between Ike and Buck and saw a connection between the two. He didn’t know what to do now. Ike was his prisoner, and the reward he was after would be a good start to a new life in the East. However, the half-breed had saved him, and he couldn’t forget that.

He looked at Ike and nodded. "You’re free."

Buck crossed to Ike, pulling out his knife and cutting the ropes free from his friend. The two embraced, then Ike started to sign wildly with his hands.

"They what… but how… and then…" Buck said, trying to keep up with the conversations. Paul watched the two of them and shook his head, unable to follow the hands and half muttered sentences. Finally, Ike stopped and Buck nodded. "We’ll go after them. The others are already on their way to Laramie."

"Can I ask now what’s happening?" Paul said, taking a step towards them. Buck turned quickly, his pistol starting to raise. Ike grabbed his hand, though, and kept it down.

No, he’s safe, Ike signed to Buck. He might be able to help us.

Buck and Paul looked at each other, measuring each other up. "What did he say?" Paul asked, taking another step forward.

Ike nodded to Buck, and the young half-Kiowa sighed. "He said that the people who were holding him are heading to Laramie to make a big robbery, and they are threatening to kill his friend if he tries to stop them."

"I’ve been trying to track them down," Paul stated. "They stole all my family’s money from our bank."

"I can’t take you with us," Buck stated.

"But you can’t stop me from following," Paul said. "I’m sure Willy left his horse around somewhere. He won’t be needing it anymore."

Ike exchanged an amused look with Buck, then nodded. Buck sighed, then waved for Paul to join them. "I’m Buck Cross, by the way, and my friend is Ike McSwine."

"Paul Murphy," Paul said, quickly packing up his bedroll. "Pleasure to meet you."

On to Chapter 15!