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.
'Rider comin' Cody called as he stood and watched the plume of dust rise against the horizon.
'There's no ride scheduled is there' Jimmy spoke from the barn door and climbed onto the top rail of the corral.
'Nope' Teaspoon answered as he too emerged from the barn
'He's comin hard and fast' Cody answered as they watched him ride into the station
"Is it Ike?' Teaspoon called
'Nope. It's Tommy from Millers' Jimmy stated as he got close enough to make out.
They were silent as they watched him pull his horse to a halt and slid from the saddle 'Teaspoon' he panted 'Got an urgent message for you from Ike' he pulled the note from his pocket and handed it to Teaspoon. Tommy was one of the youngest riders in the area and treated the horses with more respect than any of the others riders. The fact that the horse was lathered and labouring so heavily only attested to the fact that Tommy had thought the message was serious enough to push both himself and the horse to their limits.
'Thanks son, you can cool your horse and get yourself a drink if you like' he waited until Tommy had moved to tend to his horse before he opened the note.
Found Sign of struggle nears Miller's Crossing. All involved. May be Sioux. Others Not found. Will keep posted Ike. Teaspoon read quickly
'What the hell does that mean?' Jimmy asked angrily knowing that they should have trusted Ike's intuition and gone with him when he left
'I don't know Jimmy I don't know' Teaspoon spoke as he walked over to where Tommy was watering his horse.
'Tommy how was Ike when he gave you this note.' Teaspoon questioned him
'He was mighty upset sir, he didn't even wait for a new horse, he just lit out the way he rode in.' Tommy explained he was well aware of the reputations of the riders at this station and he knew without being told that if one of them was concerned about something it could mean real trouble. The fact the Teaspoon Hunter was also concerned was enough to tell him that there was something going on that frankly he was glad he was not part of .
'Tommy, I know you've just had a hard ride, but I want you to ride on to the next station and tell them that I have sent you. I want them to cover all of the Sweetwater runs until further notice.' he looked at the other two boys and waited for the questions in their faces to be voiced
'What are we going to do Teaspoon.' Cody was the first to speak
'First of all we are going into town. Sam needs to be told.' he stated knowing that the Marshall was courting his stationmistress only made the task of telling him of her disappearance harder. 'Then we are going to gather some supplies and ride out to find Ike. They are in serious trouble and I don't want him to have to deal with this alone.' Teaspoon spoke, his voice trailing off as he realised that the boys were already running toward the barn and the bunkhouse to gather the gear they needed. They hadn't known each other that long really but in all the ways that mattered they had formed themselves into a tight, closeknit little family and now that some of them were in trouble the rest would rise to the challenge and help in any way they could. He knew that Buck was the closest thing to blood kin that Ike had and he knew that the young mute would leave no stone unturned to find his friend, even if it meant sinking himself unflinchingly into trouble just as deep as the others were already in. Teaspoon only hoped that he could reach him before he did anything stupid.
It was probably only ten minutes later that Teaspoon, Cody and Jimmy were on their way into the township of Sweetwater. Looping their reins around the hitching rail outside of the Marshall's office, the three of them walked into the office tentatively not sure how Sam would react to the news they were about to impart.
"Teaspoon what can I do for you?' Sam asked with a smile always happy to see his friend
'We've got some bad news Sam' Teaspoon spoke. Sam didn't like the sound of his voice and when he looked into the eyes of his three visitors, he knew that whatever it was it was bad.
'What is it?' Sam asked all business like
'We think Emma has been captured by Sioux' Teaspoon spoke bluntly.
'What?' Sam blustered 'She was supposed to be back from St Jo yesterday.' Sam looked at them confused
'She and Buck and Kid and Lou were due back three days ago, Ike went looking for them yesterday, he found something, I don't know what yet but something has led him to believe that they were possibly taken by Sioux. We are about to go out and see if we can help.' Teaspoon spoke watching the myriad of emotions cross the face of the young lawman.
'I'm going too' Sam spoke as he walked across to his gun rack and lifted two rifles from the rack he also took some boxes of ammunition from the cupboard beside the rack. Lifting his hat from the stand he placed it on his head and picked up the spare bedroll he kept in his office and walked towards the door.
'C'mon we're wasting time.' he spoke impatiently as he turned to look at the confused faces of the men standing behind him. He turned to face the deputy who was sitting outside the office and spoke brusquely
"I don't know when I'll be back, you're in charge until I return' he spoke
He walked briskly to his horse, packed his gear and mounted up waiting for Teaspoon and the boys long enough to saddle up and then they rode hell for leather out of the town and towards whatever danger their loved ones were in.
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