Mitchell came rushing down the hallway, Anna close behind him. Buck brought up the rear, leading the robber Teaspoon had fought with at gunpoint. He hesitated a fraction of a second when he saw the men with guns in the lobby until he saw their badges.

"Is everyone all right?" Mitchell asked anxiously, looking around. Several of his employees nodded their heads or answered him yes. Anna's hand went to her chest as she observed the injured or dead men on the floor. Buck joined Ike and Teaspoon as one of the deputies took his prisoner.

"There's one more in the back office and one in a closet back by the vault." He said. Anna studied the three men, observing how calm they were about what had happened, as they handed the guns they had taken to the Sheriff.

"Mr. Hunter, gentlemen, thank you." Mitchell said. "Sheriff, these three men most likely saved the lives of my employees and customers."

"Now, I wouldn't go that far, Mr. Mitchell. Most bank robbers won't take a life unless they're threatened. But it was best not to take that chance." Teaspoon inserted.

"Well, I still appreciate your help. What can I do to thank you?"

"Nothing's necessary. Just glad we could help. Perhaps we should let the sheriff finish up here. Boys, why don't we step outside. Miss Russell, we'll wait for you at the carriage. Take your time."

Teaspoon and the two riders walked outside. He felt Anna might want some time with Mitchell. He and the boys lounged outside, soaking up the sun, each letting the adrenaline rush end. When Anna excited the bank, escorted by Mitchell fifteen minutes later, teaspoon signaled the carriage driver, who had driven around the block and stopped down the street so as not to block the entrance to the bank.

"Gentlemen, I wish to thank you again. I'm not sure what would have happened if you hadn't stepped in."

"It was nothin', Mr. Mitchell."

"Well, are you gentlemen ready for lunch?" Anna asked, still sounding a little excited, butting trying very hard to act calm.

"Whenever you are, Miss Russell."

Mitchell helped her into the carriage, then shook the three men's hands as they climbed aboard.

"I can certainly say that my darling fiancé is in good hands. Thank you again, gentlemen." Mitchell said as they rode off.

Anna took them to a little French restaurant, where they ate crusty bread, cheese and a breaded chicken dish with a rich wine. Buck passed on the wine, remembering how sleepy it had made him the night before.

"I still can't believe what happened this morning." She said as they sipped coffee at the end of them meal. "You're all so calm. It's almost like you go through this all the time."

"In a way, we do." Buck said quietly.

"These boys, and the rest of the Pony Express riders, face danger every day they ride." Teaspoon explained. "My boys seem to find more than their share of excitement. Why, just last month Ike outran three men intent on taking the mail. And that same week Buck stopped two men from robbing the stage. And the whole group of them ……" Teaspoon was off and running. Anna sat enthralled with his stories. When they returned to the carriage and began a ride along the river, she asked more questions, enticing more stories from the man.

They stopped at an open area along the river, spending the balance of the afternoon walking along the banks, Teaspoon spinning tale after tale. The boys explored the banks and surrounding woods, having lived some of Teaspoon's stories first hand.

Buck found an eagle feather along the riverbank, a good sign as far as he was concerned. When Anna asked him about it he tried to explain it's meaning.

"Indians consider all animals sacred, a gift from the Creator-God if you want. Birds are free, able to do something no other creature can. The eagle flies the highest in the sky and is therefore closest to the Creator, so he is the most sacred of all the birds. His feathers hold a very special meaning to the Indian, as they are the most sacred of all. To have earned one, to have been given one in ceremony, is something not taken lightly."

"So, it would be something like a Medal of Honor in the army?"

"Sort of, only more sacred, more religious."

"Fascinating."

When Buck let the breeze catch the feather and carry it away, she was surprised.

"Why didn't you keep it?"

"Because I didn't earn it."

She shook her head, not understanding these three unusual men. They weren't like any other man she had ever met. They weren't concerned with glory, or possessions. They didn't seem to do things just to look good to others, like the men in St. Louis. Even her fiancé, although he was a good man. Granted, the older man liked to tell stories, and she enjoyed listening to them. But she knew instinctively that he didn't tell them to impress, but to entertain.

She decided she wanted to get to know these people better. And to her own surprise, she was especially drawn to Buck, intrigued by his gentle nature and the underlying strength of character.

By the time she dropped them off at the hotel, she had decided to join her uncle at the demonstration the next morning.

____________________________________________________

The three had plenty of time to change clothes before supper, according to the note Majors had left for them at the front desk. Teaspoon took the opportunity to take a nap, while Buck and Ike explored the hotel.

They were still fascinated by the cage that carried them upward. They had learned that it was called an elevator or lift. But they still hadn't figured out how it worked. They spent half an hour studying it, but couldn't see the mechanics of it. They rode to the top floor, looking out the window at the end of the hall. Then they rode to the lobby floor and looked around there, finding a barbershop there and a small gift shop. They purchased a picture postcard of the hotel, and one of the river to take back to the others. By then it was time to head back to their room and get ready for supper.

Russell had heard of the bank robbery, and their part in stopping it. He proceeded to tell the story to the two businessmen that joined them for supper, embellishing the tale. Teaspoon tried to downplay the event, saying that anyone would have done the same thing, if the opportunity were there.

Buck felt the usual discomfort from the people around him, especially the two new men at the table. But at least he didn't have the added concern of making a big mistake at the table, having been through it once already. For some reason, tonight he found their discomfort amusing, a fact he kept to himself.

Conversation centered on business ventures, including investments in the Pony Express, but covering others as well. Buck didn't understand most of it, but pretended interest in what was being said. Once again, there was wine, but both Buck and Ike only took a sip or two of each, and passed once again on the after dinner brandy. They felt obligated to join them in the bar afterwards, but drank water while the others had more brandy and cigars, until Teaspoon gave them a signal that it would be all right to excuse themselves. They then headed upstairs to bed.

Teaspoon stayed with the men, but found his boys and himself suddenly the subject of their questions.

"I didn't realize that you would employ an Indian. And a mute too!" one of the men said.

Majors came to the rescue.

"We employ the best possible men for the job. If they happen to be Indian or mute, then so be it. They are good, loyal employees, and I have no reason to be concern about what they are, only who they are and how they conduct themselves."

"But don't you have a problem working with an Indian, Mr. Hunter? How do you trust him? I couldn't sleep at night with him there, for fear of being killed in my bed."

"That boy is like a son to me, Mr. O'Connor. I trust him with my life. What I have a problem with is associating with men that can't see past a person's color to the man inside. That boy is already a greater man than you will ever be if you keep that attitude. Good evening gentlemen." He rose and left the room.

On to Chapter Seven

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