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.
Emma waited until she was sure their captors had bedded down for the night before she lifted her head and looked closely at their surroundings and her young friends. The camp was surrounded on three sides by sharp cliffs, the only possible way they would be rescued was through a narrow pass, where a guard was always posted. She also knew that they would be hard to track, most of the terrain they had covered in their journey was rocky and moutainous. She knew that the best two trackers at the station were here with her so she didn’t hold much hope. Knowng their situation was hopeless, she stoically stifled the tears that sprang to her eyes and turned her attention to her friends.
She was so proud of the way that Lou and the boys had fought to save them all when confonted with the roving war party. They had fought bravely and valiantly, showing courage of men twice their ages, and until Lou was shot, Emma thought that they would find their way out of the mess they had riden into. When Lou had fallen, however, both boys momentarily lost concentration, concerned for her and Emma as well and that was all the help the war party needed. It had taken only a few minutes for them to be captured, their hands tied, and led behind thier horses at a run. Both boys tried their best to keep the weakening Lou upright but she had been losing a lot of blood and falling to the ground more and more frequently. Emma was glad when they reached the indian camp, if only for Lou’s sake. She saw the suffering in Lou’s eyes,the pain in Kid’s eyes and the sheer desperation in Buck’s. That was what frightened her the most.
She tried to remain calm as she watched their captors beat the three of them harshly, before stringing them up on the frame which they still hung from. Her own treatment had been almost humane compared to the others, she had beaten pushed around and hit by the women of the tribe and then tied to this stake in the centre of camp. The worst she suffered was when the women spat on her as they passed.
Looking at her boys, she couldn’t help but think how funny it was how even though she knew Lou was a girl she still thought of her as one of her boys, and tears welled in her eyes afresh. Both Kid and Lou were hanging limply from their bonds, both obviously deep in blessed unconcsiousness. Their faces barely recognizable with the bruising from the beating they had recieved. Buck, however, was a different story, his body hung taut and tight, hs arms stiffened and straight his mind obivously figthing agaisnt the blackness that beckoned him. Where Kid and Lou’s heads were resting against their chests, Buck held his head upright, resting lightly against his arm, his eyes closed.
They had saved their worst treatment for Buck, in their eyes a brother that they had felt turned against his true people to live with the treasonous white men. He was beaten more harshly then the other two, Emma had been willing him to stay on the ground each time he fell, but Bucks noble spirit would not allow that, he would struggle again to his feet and try to stay on his feet as they beat him without mercy.
Emma knew that right or wrong he felt responsible for the predicament they were currently in and she just hoped that Sam and Mr Spoon would find them before Buck sacrificed himself for his friends. She had no doubt that they would be looking for them, she just hoped they werent too late.
As she watched Buck’s eyes opened and he looked at her, his eyes cloudy with pain and suffering. Her own eyes glazing with fresh tears as she met his, seeing a hopelessness in his eyes she had not seen before. They both knew how their captivity would end for both of them. She could not control her tears as she watched Buck speak to her mouthing th words “I’m sorry” over and over again before his head fell forward against his chest, pain finally overcoming even the strength of Buck’s spirit.
Back to the last chapter
Back to Ridingtall
Back to Tall Tales
On to the next chapter
