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.
'My brother' Curly walked to Kid's side embracing him warmly 'You are well'
"thank you Curly Lou told me what you did' Kid spoke 'Thank you and yes I am feeling much better"
'It was nothing' he spoke quietly 'we wish to help Running Buck. He is a man of much bravery' Curly spoke quietly 'My tribe would be proud to have him as one of their own' Curly finished
'I know Curly' Kid spoke as Noah and Ike came scuttling down the hill in a shower of loose pebbles.
'He is bellowing for the person in charge.' Noah spoke
'He must have found his men' Curly spoke rapidly ' I must go now' he turned to leave
' I will speak with you later?'
'Yes' Kid answered him and watched as he disappeared into the darkness
Teaspoon climbed the small hill to lay on his stomach at the peak a rifle in hand
'Schmidt, you calling me?' Teaspoon spoke
'Call your men off Hunter' he spoke dragging the semi conscious Buck in front of him a gun to his temple, flanked by rifle wielding Indians.
'Can't do that, that's one of my boys you are intent on hurting.'
'Then you'll understand that I have to kill him, he's responsible for my brothers death, he must pay for that at least.' he called
'That's rubbish and we both know it' Teaspoon replied.
' If you don't give us free passage out, he will die' Schmidt spoke, his eyes reflecting the trapped scared emotions that Schmidt was operating on.
No-one was prepared for what happened next. Both of the Indians situated on either side of Schmidt toppled backwards, the arrows that hit them protruding from their chests when they hit the ground.
Schmidt wheeled wildly, dragging Buck's nearly inert form with him and realising that his plan was failing, he pushed Buck from him and watched as he stumbled forward trying to stay on his feet. Laughing Schmidt fired the pistol at close range at the back of Buck's head. The force of the bullets impact causing Buck to spin in the air his arms flailing wildly as he hit the ground. Before Schmidt could turn and run, seven shots rang out and Schmidt's body convulsed as seven bullets found their mark. Before Schmidt had even hit the ground Lou was running down the hill to Buck. The others weren't far behind her, as she dropped to her knees at his side, wailing in horror as she saw the thick red blood almost pulsing from the side of his head. Gathering him close to her, she cuddled him against her chest rocking back and forth, willing him to be alive, the boys all gathered around none of them really willing to be the one to confirm Buck's demise. Each of them proud tough young men, their eyes clouded by tears of sorrow at the thought that one of their young friends had been cut down senselessly in the prime of his life. Ike stood alone to one side, his pain almost tangible, tears already coursing down his pallid cheeks. Silent sobs wracking his grief stricken body, he seemed almost afraid to go closer, for fear that the person who was a brother to him was really dead, as it appeared. He had been so still the pool of thick sticky blood growing larger around his head. Surely no-one could lose that much blood and still live. Kid sank to his knees, the pain of seeing Buck laying so still like a knife in his heart, blaming himself. Noah stood watching at a complete loss, while he had never been treated any differently, he had never felt in himself that he was a real member of this little family, but he hadn't expected the pain that he felt at Buck's loss to be so intense. Perhaps the toughest of the boys Jimmy and Cody stood on either side of Lou, their eyes filled with tears of pain and suffering, Cody not as inhibited as Jimmy letting his tears track down his cheeks, his hand caressing Lou's head as she rocked Buck in her arms, her gulping sobs the only sounds they heard. Jimmy, tried valiantly not to cry front of his friends but every now and them a lone fat tear escaped his iron control and trickled down his cheek. That lone tear saying more than he cared to admit of his sorrow.
Teaspoon watched from the edge of the circle allowing the boys their private moment of grief before he intruded with the harsh realities of life. He couldn't hold his own tears back, however, but with the danger that his boys faced daily he had never expected them to all survive long enough for them to become so close, but they had and now he was faced with the death of one of the family, he wasn't sure that the others would ever be the same again.
He had never expected that Buck would be the one that would be taken from them first. He often wondered if it would be the last time he saw them when the hot tempered Cody or Jimmy rode out, or even Noah with the chip that he carried on his shoulder in these times of racial prejudice that clouded the judgement of the nation, but even with Buck's mixed heritage, he rarely lost his temper when taunted, he was careful and quiet to a fault and perhaps too observant, always willing to veer around trouble rather then meet it head on like a few of the boys. Yet when one of his brothers was in danger he had willingly put himself directly in the path of danger and paid the ultimate price. They had watched from the top of the hill helpless to do anything witnessing the savagery with which they beat Buck, but never once had he cried out, suffering the pain inflicted on him with the honour and nobility they all knew. Teaspoon prayed that when his time came he could face his maker with the same dignity and honour Buck had.
Wiping the moisture from his leathery cheeks, he knew he wouldn't be able to sooth the anguished misery washing over his boys, so he moved forward placing a gentle hand on both Jimmy and Cody's shoulders as he moved to squat by Lou's side.
'C'mon let's take him home' Teaspoon spoke hoarsely his remorse choking him, his words not sounding like his own.
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