"Any sight of Buck or Ike?" Kid called up from his spot on the ground.

"Not yet," Cody replied. "But I see Ike’s horse tied to the wagon."

"He might still be with them," Kid called back up. "The others went to town to see if they could find them."

Cody nodded, keeping his eyes on the distance beyond. They had arrived to the town, going immediately to the sheriff and passing along an inquiry from Teaspoon. It would be the only way they would get the information they needed, and Teaspoon had conveniently lent them a deputy badge to help.

The sheriff had been more than willing to help; however they didn’t know about the location of the robbers. They took the riders’ arrival as a warning, and had the bank send over its money to the fort, and be replaced with dummy bags of money.

He had also promised that they would avoid shooting at the robbers except for Wilson, which Kid had given a full description of.

A slight rustle of brush caught Cody’s attention. Squinting, he saw Buck and Ike approaching from along the creek line. Another man was with them, all three on horses.

"What do you see?" Kid called up, seeing Cody’s intent.

"Buck and Ike, by the creek," Cody replied. "Want to go and get them?"

"I’m on it," Kid said, and started down the hill.

As Buck, Ike and Paul continued on their path, Ike was the first to spy the wagon in the woods. He tapped Buck on the shoulder and pointed. It’s them.

Ike made to walk to the wagon, but Buck held onto his shoulder. "Wait until we know where they are, and where Julie is."

Ike nodded, and they waved to Paul to continue on with them. They moved for a few more feet when Buck stopped the group.

"What is it now?" Paul asked. The hunter’s eyes darted around the woods. He was in unfamiliar grounds now, and trusting very little to his mute and half-breed guides.

Buck held a finger up to his lips to keep him quiet, and they listened again. A faint whistle could be heard from their right. Buck whistled back and smiled. "Our friends have found us."

When Lou, Hikock and Noah regrouped with Cody and Kid, they were not surprised to find Buck there. Ike surprised them a bit, and the site of Paul made them wonder just what kind of adventure the two friends had just been on.

Buck introduced Paul to the other riders, and as they ate a quick dinner, Buck translated the whole story of Ike’s ordeal. After that, Lou went through everything that they had learned.

"They are posing as a group of mutes again, staying at the local saloon. Wilson held Julie close to him the whole time."

"I think he’s afraid that Ike’s gonna do something," Hikock stated, smirking.

"The sheriff is on our side," Noah said. "He’s willing to let us plan the attack on the group."

They are gonna strike in the morning, Ike signed. Wilson, Adam and either Marcus or Josiah at the bank, and the other one with Julie at the saloon eating.

"The bank is already prepared for them," Lou stated.

Ike nodded. After the holdup, they will all ride back here on their horses, switch to the wagon and ride off. Anyone chasing after them will see Julie at the reins of the wagon and continue on.

"It’s a very good ploy," Paul stated after Buck had translated for him. "However, it’s got one flaw."

"What’s that?" Cody asked.

"They leave their wagon unattended overnight. Because of that, they are returning to a wagon that could have been tampered with."

Kid closed his eyes. "Ike, did anyone ever return to the wagon between entering town and the robbery."

Ike shook his head. Paul looked at the group. "If we find a way to disable the wagon, we should be able to stop them in their tracks."

I just don’t want to see Julie or Adam hurt, Ike signed. They are just as innocent as I am.

"We won’t let Wilson hurt them," Buck replied. "But if we’re gonna make plans, we had better do it now. Night is coming fast."

Ike looked down at the wagon. I want to be the one to deal with Wilson.

The others looked at each other. "No, Ike, you’re not going after him alone," Kid stated. "We’re gonna fight him together, as a team."

No, Ike said, his face showing his determination. This is something I need to do. You all help me stop them, but I’M the one to deal with Wilson.

"No Ike, it’s too dangerous…" Hikock started to say, but Ike turned to look at him, his eyes set. The gunslinger stopped and shook his head. "You’re crazy, you know that, don’t ya?"

Ike thought for a moment, then nodded. Jimmy laughed and sat back. Meanwhile, Paul watched the whole interaction and asked, "Shouldn’t we make the plans first, then decide who gets who afterwards."

The whole group started to laugh. Cody, who sat next to Paul, slapped him on the back. "I see you’ve never sat in on one of our planning sessions before!"

Julie sat at the saloon with Marcus, trying her best to look like she was enjoying her meal. However, her thoughts and concentration were elsewhere. Oh Ike, where are you?

Are you ok? Marcus asked. His plate of breakfast was almost gone, yet Julie had yet to touch her eggs. Quickly, Julie nodded and took a mouthful off eggs, looking down at her plate. She felt Marcus stare at her, then he stood and went to her side. He took one of her hands into his, rubbing it gently.

"Please, don’t," she said.

Marcus released her hand, but stayed kneeling beside her. It’s Ike, isn’t it?

Julie thought about lying, then sighed and nodded. "I’m sure you’re going to report this to Wilson now, aren’t you?"

Marcus looked down, biting his lip. I’m sorry about what happened.

"We were trying to get help!" Julie said. "Tell me you don’t want to keep doing this, Marcus. It’s wrong. Wilson is taking advantage of us!"

Without Wilson, we would all be dead from living on the streets, Marcus stated. Don’t you see that? We owe him our lives, Julie.

"Why did you turn Ike in?"

If someone had read that letter before we left town, they would have hunted us down and killed us. Marcus looked at Julie, and she could see the pain in his eyes. Forgive me, Julie. I didn’t know what was going to happen. I just wanted to keep us safe.

Julie sighed. "I forgive you, Marcus. I’m just worried about Ike."

We all are.

Suddenly, a man burst into the saloon. "Where’s the sheriff? That bank’s been robbed!"

The two friends exchanged glances. "We could stay here," Julie said, holding Marcus close to her side. "We could stay here and be free from them. Not let Wilson control us anymore."

What about Josiah and your brother?

Julie thought for a moment, then nodded. "We can’t leave them. I’m just so scared. If they catch us one day…"

Marcus pulled Julie into a hug, holding her close to his chest. She stayed there, trembling as her fears raced through her head. After a few moments, she regained her composure and pulled away from Marcus. Yet when she looked up into his eyes, she saw that something had changed.

I promise you, I won’t let anyone harm any of us, he signed. But we must go, right now; or else everything will be compromised.

Julie nodded. She took out some bills and left it on the table, and the two of them walked out the door.