Buck studied the village as they entered. Lodges had been torn down or burnt. Small children wandered, lost, crying for their parents. Bodies lay scattered as soldiers walked by each of them, kicking them or nudging them to see if they were still alive. Buck watched as a badly injured woman was shot. Judging from the injuries she would not have survived anyway, but to just shoot her like that made Buck’s blood boil. He struggled against his bonds and felt a boot kick in his back. He fell forward and tried to immediately gain his feet. One of the elders had fallen on the short trip to the village and been dragged several hundred feet.

He turned his head to watch his brother. The war chief walked calmly into the village, but Buck could see his brother’s jaw clenching and fire burning in his eyes. They both studied Red Bear’s teepee as they were led by it. The once beautiful lodge lay in a heap, burning. Buck’s breath caught in his throat as he saw one moccasin-covered foot amongst the smoldering hides. Red Bear’s eyes moved straight ahead.

The survivors of the raid had been gathered in the center of the village. Buck and the others with him were pushed to the ground. When Red Bear tried to stand he immediately had a rifle barrel shoved in his face.

"Don’t fight them now brother!" Buck called to him. "There will be time later." A soldier immediately turned and smacked him in the cheek again with a rifle barrel.

"Shut up." The man growled and moved on. Buck studied the survivors. Soldiers were still bringing crying children and wounded adults to the gathering. Women sobbed over injured relatives. Others tried to tend to the wounded, and still more comforted frightened children. There were very few men.

Buck watched as the soldiers finished searching the village. He cringed inwardly as he heard a rifle go off again. Finally the soldiers gathered around their Captain.

"Let’s get them moving. I want to put at least two miles behind us before nightfall." The captain moved his horse forward, passing near Buck.

"Why’d you do this?" Buck said loud enough for the officer to hear him. The man stopped his horse and looked at Buck.

"So you speak English."

"Yes. Why did you do this? Where are you taking us?" Buck struggled to his feet as the other captives began to rise. Only the men had their arms tied. The women were allowed their hands free.

"You’re going to a reservation where you’ll be allowed to farm and live safely."

"We aren’t farmers, we’re hunters."

"Well you’ll learn to farm then. Where did you learn English?"

"Mission school. You can’t do this."

"We can and we will." The Captain turned to his men. "Let’s go. Keep this one nearby. He can talk to the others for us." Two soldiers moved forward, grabbing Buck’s arms. Buck fought to keep from wincing as they pressed against the fresh cuts. They began to walk.

~*~*~

Cody rode into the station like his horse’s tail was on fire. Passing the mochilla off to the waiting rider, he immediately wheeled his horse around and headed to the Marshall’s office. Kid, Lou and Noah had been sitting on the bunkhouse porch, but they ran after their friend, catching up to him after he had already entered the Marshall’s office. Jimmy was there also.

"…near Sweetwater. They’re taking them to a reservation down south. Oklahoma I think."

"What’s wrong?" Kid asked as the three tumbled into the office. Teaspoon ignored them for the moment, wanting to get more information from Cody instead.

"Any idea when son?"

"At least three days ago. Maybe a little more. The word was passed down with the riders. What are we gonna do Teaspoon?"

Teaspoon rubbed his hand against the stubble of beard on his chin, taking a few quiet seconds to think.

"Go saddle up. All of you. We’re going after him. Saddle a horse for me. I’ll be along in a moment."

The riders left the office, Cody and Jimmy telling the others what had happened. Teaspoon sat at his desk, holding his head in his hands.

"What have I done Buck? Did I send you off to be killed?"

On to Chapter Five