DISCLAIMER: The Young Riders is the creation of Ed Spielman, and the property of Ogiens/Kane productions in association with MGM/UA television. This Story is created for entertainment purposes only, no infringement intended. Not to be copied without permission from the author.
'Does Kid know?' Lou asked quietly
Buck nodded, swallowing convulsively 'I managed to tell him before they beat me, I know that if they know they will play on it.' Buck replied
'Kid won't let anything happen to her.' Lou replied
'I know that, but what if he can't stop them.' nobody spoke because they all understood the only way Kid would allow a woman to be beaten.
'Buck, what can you tell us about where they are holed up?' Teaspoon asked softly, trying to distract everyone and remove the stricken look from Lou's face.
'They're in an old mine shaft right on the boundaries of the property, there is two entrances to the mine, but I am fairly certain that the second entrance is only accessible by passing the main entrance or climbing part of the way over the peak. I think that one of the men work's for the assayers office, but I can't be sure. He is very familiar to me, I just can't picture from where.' he trailed off
'We'll get them back Buck' Lou stated
'They leave them alone at meal times, that would be the ideal time to get in to get them. I don't know how we are going to get in without them seeing us.'
'We're not I'll take them a fake copy of the deed.' Lou spoke
'Good idea Lou, you know I don't remember you being so stupid when we riding for the express' Jimmy spoke sarcastically
'I don't see you have any better ideas.' she retorted glaring at Jimmy fiercely
'Sam and I will ride to the front entrance with an answer to their demands, the rest of you can double back and into the secondary entrance while we have most of them occupied. That way, if you get inside we should be able to get them out.'
Teaspoon reasoned cradling Rachel against his side as he spoke. Emma hugged Sam tightly concerned at the danger for all of them.
Kid leaned heavily against the cold dirt wall of the mineshaft, Jenny Cross cradled in his arms. His face badly beaten, his chest a minefield of pain, he knew that something was seriously wrong with his shoulder, but he was determined to protect his sister-in-law Jenny, for as long as he possibly could. He knew that many more beatings like the one he had just received and he may not be able to protect her anymore.
'Kid are you awake?' Jenny whispered, turning her face up to his
'Yeah Jenny, what's up?' he murmured back, using his good arm to caress her face
'I'm so sorry they are doing this to you because of me.'
'Jen, they are doing this out of greed, not because of any one person.' he soothed her
'but if I wasn't here or pregnant they wouldn't be beating you so badly.' she sobbed
'honey, if you weren't here they probably would have killed me already.' Kid stated matter of factly
'Do you think Buck got back to the house?' she murmured
'Yeah, I'll bet they are all working on a plan to get us out of here right at the moment.' he smiled.
She sat up as she heard one of the men entering the dead end tunnel they had left her and Kid in.
'Kid they're coming.' she watched as he tried to sit up straight, reluctant to show any weakness, as he knew they would play on that weakness and exploit it to their benefit.
One of the men, a large muscular man with long stringy hair and a scraggly beard, walked up to Kid and brushing Jenny aside, he grabbed Kid by his damaged shoulder and pulled him to his feet. Kid screamed in agony, tears welling in his pain clouded eyes. Jenny, knew that she should somehow in someway, fight for Kid, but she was reluctant to destroy anything that Kid and Buck had fought for and place her tiny unborn child in danger. A second man entered the tunnel and looping a rope around Kid's wrists he dragged him to a large ring which was attached to the a supprt beam well above head height. Feeding the rope through the metal ring, he pulled the rope taut, then with the first man's help they pulled Kid off his feet, until he was dangling by his wrists from the beam. He howled in anguish, as his broken shoulder was forced to support his weight. The pain that was too intense to be withstood for long, causing Kid to pass out. Seeking oblivion in the darkness, he closed his eyes and sank into unconsciousness. Laughing at his misforturne and seeing Kid secure they turned their attention to Jenny. As they tied her hands and feet, she tensed her muscles, holding herself as stiffly as she could, desperate to find a way to help Kid.
Laughing at the new helplessness of their captives, they both walked out of the tunnel, eager to be on their way to town to spend their money on booze and women. Jenny waited until she could no longer hear them, then relaxed and after several minutes of struggling managed to slip her hands from the badly tied ropes, desperately struggling to unty her feet and help her friend. She struggled to lift his weight from the ring, but his dead weight was too much for her to even budge, her efforts only causing him to swing and inflict greater pain upon his shoulder. Looking in desperation around the cave, she found a rusted old saw that had obviously been used by the miners many years ago. Tears streaming down her cheeks, she sawed savagely and frantically just above the knot where the rope was connected to the wall. It took a little time, but she eventually sawed through the rope and Kid's inert form fell heavily to the ground. Jenny rushed to his side
'I'm sorry Kid, I'm so sorry.' she cried lifting his head and shoulders high enough to cradle him on her lap. With shaking hands she brushed his hair back from his face, and using a strip of chamois leather from her indian dress she tenderly rubbed the dried blood and dirt from his face. She continued to hold him, cleaning his face until she realised he was waking, his face creasing into a frown of pain and confusion.
'Kid, Kid' she murmured 'They've left us alone. Do you think you can walk?' she murmured
'If it means getting out of here, I could fly' he groaned trying to roll until he was seated.
'Theres light coming from the back of this mine shaft. If we can get out of here without going through the main entrance we may be able to get away.' she stood and walked a short distance from him her tears overflowing.
'It may be our only chance to get back to our families.' she stated the obvious, knowing in her heart that it was probably futile.
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