Another man, Lucas, rode a horse beside the wagon. How much more? he signed.
"Probably double," Wilson replied. "They hadn't even open the safe yet."
So, where to next? signed the other horse rider, Marcus.
Wilson leaned back, placing the money in the wagon's hidden compartment. "I was thinking of Sweetwater. They have a new marshal, a bafoon named Tablespoon or something. Seems like ripe pickings to me."
In the back of the wagon, Julie was next to Adam, re-wrapping a gunshot wound on his shoulder. "I should have known that the moment Wilson made you pick up that gun, that something like this was going to happen," Julie said, frustrated.
Julie, stop it, Adam signed. I'm a man now. I don't need you being my mother anymore.
The remark wasn't meant to hurt, but it hit Julie hard just the same. She moved away from Adam and turned her back on him. "Do what you want, then," Julie said, holding back tears. "Just don't invite me to your funeral."
A hand gently rested on her shoulder. She turned around and saw Adam sign a quick apology. Breaking down in tears, she buried her face in Adam's chest. "I don't like this, Adam," she whimpered. "I want to have a normal life. I don't want to die like-"
At that moment, the wagon stopped suddenly as gunshots filled the air.
Ike held a finger to his lips, motioning for Buck to be quiet. The faint sound of gunshots could be heard in the distance. The two friends caught each other's eye and started riding full speed towards the gunshots.
Wilson looked around his wagon. There were three robbers total. The scruffy one was near the head of the wagon, while two others were further back, holding guns on Lucas and Marcus. Quickly, Wilson turned to Lucas and Josiah and signed something to them. The second robber noticed this. "Shit, we held up a wagon full'a dummies! They ain't gonna have any money."
The first robber clenched his teeth. "Damn it. Check to see if they have anything in the wagon worth takin'."
The third robber cocked his gun and hopped into the back of the wagon. A second later, Julie screamed as she was pulled out by her long brown hair. "Lookie at what I found," he exclaimed, a dirty look on his face.
The other two robbers smiled. "Well, she's better than nothing," the scruffy robber stated.
"Let me go!" Julie shouted.
"Oh, we will, honey," the third robber said. "Just as soon as you show us a good time."
A disgusted look came over Julie's face. "Not on my life!" She quickly punched the robber in the stomach. He doubled over in pain. At that moment, Marcus fired a gunshot at the first robber, grazing his shoulder. The robbers started firing back as they dove for cover.
It was a standstill, and things began to look bad for Julie's side when Lucas fell to the ground from his horse. With one down, the robbers started feeling brave. The third robber got up and grabbed Julie.
"Let me go!" she screamed, but was muffled as the robber pressed his lips against hers as he ripped open her blouse.
Suddenly, Julie was free as the robber was tackled to the ground. Ike held the robber's face in the dirt, was was met with a handful of dirt in the face. They continued fighting, both taking a beating. At one point, Ike was down, and the robber took the opportunity to make for his gun. He was stopped, however, as a bullet hit him in the back.
Buck ran to Ike's side, holstering his gun. "Are you ok, my friend?" he asked. Ike nodded and carefully stood up. He saw Julie standing a few feet away, covering herself with what was left of her blouse. Smiling, Ike took his jacket off and approached her.
"Are you alright?" he signed with one hand.
Julie looked at Ike in shock. "Yes, I'm fine," Julie replied, hoping that Ike could here her.
"It was nothing," Ike replied, then offered her the jacket. "Here, cover yourself."
Julie took the jacket and quickly put it on. "Thank you." She stared at the two strangers in front of her. "I'm Julie."
"I'm Ike, and this is my friend, Buck."
"How do you do?" Buck said.
"Thank you for coming when you did," Julie said. "I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't shown up."
"It was no problem," Buck replied. "We should probably check on the others."
Julie's eyes widened. "Adam…" she muttered and took off to the front of the wagon. Buck and Ike exchanged glances, then followed.
Wilson, Josiah, Adam and Marcus slowly surveyed the scene. They approached Lucas, who still lay on the ground. Wilson leaned down and felt for a pulse. Sadly, he stood up and shook his head.
Julie came around the front of the wagon. She saw Adam and ran into his arms. A look of relief fell over the other men. Then, Marcus cocked his gun when he saw Ike and Buck approach. "No, wait," Julie said, holding out her hand," they're friends. They saved me."
Marcus lowered his gun and signed an apology. Nodding, Ike signed back, "I understand, safety first."
Marcus, Josiah and Adam looked at Ike in shock. He's like us! they thought, smiles on their faces. Ike smiled in reply.
Wilson, however, gave the two newcomers a stiff glance. Buck noticed this and felt a little tense. "We heard the gunshots and came to help," Buck stated.
"Well, thank you for helping," Wilson signed, "but we should be on our way."
"Why don't you come to our station for a few days?" Ike asked. "You can rest for a few days."
Wilson and Buck did not like the idea. However, Buck would not disagree from the happiness Ike showed, and from the boys expressions, Wilson couldn't say no either.
"Just for a few days,"Wilson signed.
