Wanted
* Written by Karen
Disclaimer: The characters of The Young Riders were created for television by Ed Spielman. The series aired on ABC TELEVISION from 1989 - 1992. Thanks to Nina for her suggestion to expand and her help with the story. Thanks also to all my other beta readers. I couldn’t have done this without your guidance.
Prologue
Teaspoon sat and stared at the paper in his hands. “This can’t be right,” he said as he passed it to Emma.
Emma quickly read over the paper. “I agree with Mr. Spoon,” she said, handing the paper back to Sam. “There’s no way that information is correct; those boys aren’t criminals.”
Sam folded the paper. “I’m not arguing with either of you,” he said. “I don’t think they’re criminals either, but I’ve got to take them in until I can find out more about the incident this deals with.”
“You mean you want to lock them up?” asked Emma.
Sam nodded. “I think that would be best considering everything that happened today. I don’t want trouble coming out here, or anyone else getting hurt for that matter.”
“You mean on account of Buck’s part Indian, and Tompkins is an idiot?” said Teaspoon.
Sam nodded solemnly. “Tompkins may be an idiot, but he’s a talkative idiot who happens to be right this time; the boys are definitely the ones on that poster.” He stood and crossed the room. “I only stopped by here first to ask for your help,” he said to Teaspoon. “Like I said earlier, I don’t want anyone else to get hurt.”
Teaspoon nodded and stood. “I think it would be best if I go bring them over here so we can talk things through.”
He left and made his way across the yard to the bunkhouse. The mood when he entered was subdued. No one was talking as they watched Ike tend to the ugly mark across Buck’s back. “How’s he doing?” Teaspoon asked.
“Not so good,” replied Kid. “I think it might be a good idea for Emma to come look at him.”
Ike looked up from where he was working. * I can take care of it, * he said. *He’ll be fine in a few days.*
“Tell me again what happened,” Teaspoon said as he sat next to Ike who was gently cleaning the cut on Buck’s back. “I want to make sure I understood you earlier.”
* We stopped by the store to buy me some jerky for my next run; Tompkins told Buck to get out and to take his “dummy friend” with him. *
“It’s that last part that got him upset ain’t it?” asked Teaspoon.
Ike nodded and carefully began to put a sticky substance over Buck’s injury. Every time he touched the cut, Buck flinched but managed to stifle the scream that tried to escape. Teaspoon waited until Buck’s breathing calmed before asking, “So what happened after Tompkins asked you to leave?”
Ike hesitated. * Instead of leaving like we had started to do, Buck went back inside and bought me the jerky, * he finally replied.
When Ike stopped there, Teaspoon prompted, “And then…”
“We left,” said Buck, as he carefully moved from his stomach to his side. “This has nothing to do with Tompkins. It has to do with before; along time before.” He couldn’t stop the moan as he moved to a sitting position.
Teaspoon smiled at the two boys. “Let’s leave that for now. Explain to me why Tompkins says you attacked him and need to be locked up for everyone’s good.”
Buck glanced at Ike before answering, “Because I did,” he stated calmly.
“Please continue,” Teaspoon said when Buck stopped there.
“Yeah,” said Cody as he and the others moved to join the group. “What exactly did we miss by not going to town with you guys this morning?”
Ike noticed that Buck was having trouble fighting off the pain. *Can’t this wait? * he asked.
“Wish it could,” replied Teaspoon, “but Sam’s over at the house waiting. I’m supposed to bring you two over to talk to him.”
“I’m not sure I can make it over there,” whispered Buck.
“That’s why I’m talking to you now,” said Teaspoon. “I was hoping you could convince me that Tompkins deserved attacking, and I could go back and explain to Sam how this is all just one big, unfortunate mistake.”
Buck nodded and Ike continued the explanation. * We were turning to leave. In fact we were at the door; I was already outside when Tompkins added the part about taking his “dummy friend” with him. *
He paused just a second. * Buck didn’t say a word. He simply changed direction; went to where the jerky was; cut a slice; went to where Tompkins stood; paid him more than the jerky was worth; and told him that if he ever called me a dummy in front of Buck again, it would be the last words he ever spoke because Buck would cut out his tongue. Then we left. *
Teaspoon managed not to show his approval. A couple of the other riders murmured their support for Buck’s actions. “Did you actually touch him?” Teaspoon asked.
Buck shook his head. “I just threatened him,” he said quietly.
“After you left, did Tompkins come after you?”
Buck shook his head. He waited a few seconds before asking, “Do you think it would be possible for you and Ike to get me to the main house? I have a feeling Sam needs to hear this next part, and I’d really rather not have to tell it twice.”
Teaspoon nodded. “Can you stand?” His look silenced the others before they even had a chance to start pestering Buck or Ike about what happened with Tompkins and after they’d left the store.
“I don’t think so,” said Buck, “at least not without help.”
“Let’s see what we can do,” Teaspoon said. He moved to where he could offer support as Buck tried to stand.
Buck managed to stand but could not walk without the pain causing his knees to buckle. “I can’t,” he whispered. “It hurts too much.”
Teaspoon nodded. He and Ike managed to keep Buck from sitting back on the bed. “Let us try to move you,” Teaspoon suggested. Buck simply nodded. Teaspoon and Ike half dragged; half carried Buck over to Emma’s house. Buck collapsed onto the bed with a soft moan when they lay him down.
“Let him rest a bit,” said Teaspoon when Sam approached.
Sam nodded and handed Ike the paper he’d shared with Emma and Teaspoon. “Can one of you explain this?” he asked.
Ike paled as he read the paper:
Wanted: Escaped convicted criminal – Buck Cross – and his accomplice – Ike McSwain.
Ike handed the paper back to Sam, sat down next to where Buck lay and nodded. He looked at all three faces letting his gaze come to rest on Emma’s when he started to explain. * It’s not what it looks like, * he said.
Emma smiled her encouragement. “I told them there had to be a reasonable explanation.” She sat between them on the bed placing on hand on Ike’s knee and the other on Buck’s shoulder. “Take your time,” she said. “There’s no reason to hurry.”
Buck shook his head. “If he’s talked to Tompkins, he’ll be here before dark to take us by force. We need to be gone.” He tried to roll over so he could sit but had to stop as the pain overwhelmed him.
“Why don’t you explain the paper, and then we can decide what to do about Mr. Jamison,” said Sam.
“What do you need to know?” asked Buck.
“First, was there ever a trial for whatever your crime was?” asked Sam. “There’s something about the poster that makes me wonder.”
“Depends,” said Buck.
“On what?” asked Emma.
“What you mean by trial,” said Buck. “The other workers found me guilty and ‘Judge’ Jamison sentenced me.”
“That sounds like a trial,” said Sam.
Ike interrupted. * Mr. Jamison wasn’t really a judge; he’s just a rich cattleman. His daughter was attacked, and Buck was a convenient scapegoat. There were no witnesses called, Buck wasn’t allowed to speak, Laura wasn’t asked what happened, and the whole thing took less than 5 minutes. *
“Go on,” said Sam, when Ike stopped. Ike nodded and started his tale…
Emma quickly read over the paper. “I agree with Mr. Spoon,” she said, handing the paper back to Sam. “There’s no way that information is correct; those boys aren’t criminals.”
Sam folded the paper. “I’m not arguing with either of you,” he said. “I don’t think they’re criminals either, but I’ve got to take them in until I can find out more about the incident this deals with.”
“You mean you want to lock them up?” asked Emma.
Sam nodded. “I think that would be best considering everything that happened today. I don’t want trouble coming out here, or anyone else getting hurt for that matter.”
“You mean on account of Buck’s part Indian, and Tompkins is an idiot?” said Teaspoon.
Sam nodded solemnly. “Tompkins may be an idiot, but he’s a talkative idiot who happens to be right this time; the boys are definitely the ones on that poster.” He stood and crossed the room. “I only stopped by here first to ask for your help,” he said to Teaspoon. “Like I said earlier, I don’t want anyone else to get hurt.”
Teaspoon nodded and stood. “I think it would be best if I go bring them over here so we can talk things through.”
He left and made his way across the yard to the bunkhouse. The mood when he entered was subdued. No one was talking as they watched Ike tend to the ugly mark across Buck’s back. “How’s he doing?” Teaspoon asked.
“Not so good,” replied Kid. “I think it might be a good idea for Emma to come look at him.”
Ike looked up from where he was working. * I can take care of it, * he said. *He’ll be fine in a few days.*
“Tell me again what happened,” Teaspoon said as he sat next to Ike who was gently cleaning the cut on Buck’s back. “I want to make sure I understood you earlier.”
* We stopped by the store to buy me some jerky for my next run; Tompkins told Buck to get out and to take his “dummy friend” with him. *
“It’s that last part that got him upset ain’t it?” asked Teaspoon.
Ike nodded and carefully began to put a sticky substance over Buck’s injury. Every time he touched the cut, Buck flinched but managed to stifle the scream that tried to escape. Teaspoon waited until Buck’s breathing calmed before asking, “So what happened after Tompkins asked you to leave?”
Ike hesitated. * Instead of leaving like we had started to do, Buck went back inside and bought me the jerky, * he finally replied.
When Ike stopped there, Teaspoon prompted, “And then…”
“We left,” said Buck, as he carefully moved from his stomach to his side. “This has nothing to do with Tompkins. It has to do with before; along time before.” He couldn’t stop the moan as he moved to a sitting position.
Teaspoon smiled at the two boys. “Let’s leave that for now. Explain to me why Tompkins says you attacked him and need to be locked up for everyone’s good.”
Buck glanced at Ike before answering, “Because I did,” he stated calmly.
“Please continue,” Teaspoon said when Buck stopped there.
“Yeah,” said Cody as he and the others moved to join the group. “What exactly did we miss by not going to town with you guys this morning?”
Ike noticed that Buck was having trouble fighting off the pain. *Can’t this wait? * he asked.
“Wish it could,” replied Teaspoon, “but Sam’s over at the house waiting. I’m supposed to bring you two over to talk to him.”
“I’m not sure I can make it over there,” whispered Buck.
“That’s why I’m talking to you now,” said Teaspoon. “I was hoping you could convince me that Tompkins deserved attacking, and I could go back and explain to Sam how this is all just one big, unfortunate mistake.”
Buck nodded and Ike continued the explanation. * We were turning to leave. In fact we were at the door; I was already outside when Tompkins added the part about taking his “dummy friend” with him. *
He paused just a second. * Buck didn’t say a word. He simply changed direction; went to where the jerky was; cut a slice; went to where Tompkins stood; paid him more than the jerky was worth; and told him that if he ever called me a dummy in front of Buck again, it would be the last words he ever spoke because Buck would cut out his tongue. Then we left. *
Teaspoon managed not to show his approval. A couple of the other riders murmured their support for Buck’s actions. “Did you actually touch him?” Teaspoon asked.
Buck shook his head. “I just threatened him,” he said quietly.
“After you left, did Tompkins come after you?”
Buck shook his head. He waited a few seconds before asking, “Do you think it would be possible for you and Ike to get me to the main house? I have a feeling Sam needs to hear this next part, and I’d really rather not have to tell it twice.”
Teaspoon nodded. “Can you stand?” His look silenced the others before they even had a chance to start pestering Buck or Ike about what happened with Tompkins and after they’d left the store.
“I don’t think so,” said Buck, “at least not without help.”
“Let’s see what we can do,” Teaspoon said. He moved to where he could offer support as Buck tried to stand.
Buck managed to stand but could not walk without the pain causing his knees to buckle. “I can’t,” he whispered. “It hurts too much.”
Teaspoon nodded. He and Ike managed to keep Buck from sitting back on the bed. “Let us try to move you,” Teaspoon suggested. Buck simply nodded. Teaspoon and Ike half dragged; half carried Buck over to Emma’s house. Buck collapsed onto the bed with a soft moan when they lay him down.
“Let him rest a bit,” said Teaspoon when Sam approached.
Sam nodded and handed Ike the paper he’d shared with Emma and Teaspoon. “Can one of you explain this?” he asked.
Ike paled as he read the paper:
Wanted: Escaped convicted criminal – Buck Cross – and his accomplice – Ike McSwain.
Ike handed the paper back to Sam, sat down next to where Buck lay and nodded. He looked at all three faces letting his gaze come to rest on Emma’s when he started to explain. * It’s not what it looks like, * he said.
Emma smiled her encouragement. “I told them there had to be a reasonable explanation.” She sat between them on the bed placing on hand on Ike’s knee and the other on Buck’s shoulder. “Take your time,” she said. “There’s no reason to hurry.”
Buck shook his head. “If he’s talked to Tompkins, he’ll be here before dark to take us by force. We need to be gone.” He tried to roll over so he could sit but had to stop as the pain overwhelmed him.
“Why don’t you explain the paper, and then we can decide what to do about Mr. Jamison,” said Sam.
“What do you need to know?” asked Buck.
“First, was there ever a trial for whatever your crime was?” asked Sam. “There’s something about the poster that makes me wonder.”
“Depends,” said Buck.
“On what?” asked Emma.
“What you mean by trial,” said Buck. “The other workers found me guilty and ‘Judge’ Jamison sentenced me.”
“That sounds like a trial,” said Sam.
Ike interrupted. * Mr. Jamison wasn’t really a judge; he’s just a rich cattleman. His daughter was attacked, and Buck was a convenient scapegoat. There were no witnesses called, Buck wasn’t allowed to speak, Laura wasn’t asked what happened, and the whole thing took less than 5 minutes. *
“Go on,” said Sam, when Ike stopped. Ike nodded and started his tale…
Chapter One
(somewhere near St. Joseph, Missouri – 1858)
Thirteen-year-old Ike McSwain squirmed as Mrs. Jamison tried to clean the cut under his eye. “You need to hold still,” she told him, “or I’m going to end up hurting you worse than you already are.”
* I’m fine, * Ike signed to her, as he once more tried to get away from the cloth she was using to doctor his injury.
“You’re not fine,” she said, as she lowered the cloth to her lap and glanced over at the frighten boy standing behind Ike. “That is what he said, isn’t it?” she asked.
The other boy nodded. “We’re going to get in trouble,” he said quietly. “Mr. Jamison told us to stay out of the house.”
“He won’t do anything to you if I tell him I had to drag you both in here to tend Ike,” she said with a smile. “Sit down, Buck. Have some lemonade with Laura while I finish this.”
Buck Cross stood frozen where he was. He knew she meant well, but her husband had specifically told him and Ike to stay away from his family and his home. The words still rang in his ears. “If I catch either of you anywhere near the main house, my wife, or daughter, there won’t be enough meat left on your bones to feed the dogs. Do you two mistakes of nature understand me?”
Ike glanced at Buck when they heard footsteps coming up the path to the front door. He too remembered the warning they’d been issued as they had climbed into the back of the wagon at the mission school. He once more tried to get away from Mrs. Jamison’s grasp.
Buck whispered, “Sit still and let her finish so we can get out of here. Maybe he won’t see us if we get out quickly enough.”
“He won’t hurt either of you,” Mrs. Jamison repeated. “I know he sounds mean, and I know he’s a hard taskmaster when you’re outside working, but he won’t hurt you once I explain why you’re here. I promise.” She smiled and returned her attention to the cut on Ike’s cheek.
Her husband stepped into the room just as she stopped sewing the gash shut. “There,” she said. “All done.”
She stood and moved to where Buck stood staring at his boss. “Did they hurt you too?” she asked, as she took his chin in her hand and turned his head so she could see his face better.
“No Ma’am,” Buck managed to say. “I wasn’t in the same place as Ike; I was working in the pens. I just came to get him when Laura yelled that he needed help.”
She nodded and turned to face her husband. He was obviously furious at the boys for being in his living room. “What did I…” he started when his wife held up her hand and said, “Don’t you even start. They’re only in here because I dragged them in here. I needed Buck to help me understand what Ike was saying, and I needed to sew Ike up. The only reason he’s hurt is that he kept your Josiah Hopkins from pushing Laura into the manure pile because she told him she didn’t want to go to the dance with him.”
Frank Jamison stared at his wife. If it wasn’t for the fact that all his money was really her money, he would have sent her flying across the room. He’d seen how his father controlled his mother and had planned to do the same with his own wife. He would have too, except her father had all the money – until that old goat passed on, he had to be very careful with how he handled her brashness. He nodded and turned to the two boys who were cowering in the corner of the room.
“Thank you,” he said. “Now please get back outside and finish up your chores so I can get you back to the mission on time. Sister Ruth will have my head if I bring you in late for evening prayers again.”
Both boys nodded and practically ran out of the room. They completed their assigned jobs in record time and were the first two back at the wagon, ready to go.
When they got back to the mission, Mr. Jamison asked to speak to them as the others hurried to their dorms to get cleaned up for dinner. “I’ll let this one time go,” he said, “but if I ever catch you near my daughter again…” He stopped speaking and let his hand rest on the handle of the bull whip he always had by his side.
Both boys looked at the ground. Neither one of them was brave enough to argue with the man. They’d both had the unfortunate experience of seeing how Mr. Jamison disciplined his workers when they didn’t follow his rules. He was an expert with his whip, his many years as overseer at a large Virginia plantation had trained him well.
He grabbed Buck by the arm. “Look at me when I’m talking to you, boy,” he said in a loud whisper.
Buck raised his eyes to face the man. He did his best to hide the fear he was feeling but wasn’t at all sure he’d been successful.
“You understand me?” the man demanded.
Buck simply nodded.
The man tightened his grip on Buck’s arm. “I asked you a question,” he said.
“Yes Sir,” Buck managed to say. “I’ll stay away from her, the house, and your wife. If you want, I’ll tell Sister Ruth that we can’t come back…”
The slap across his face stunned both Buck and Ike. Ike moved to place himself between Mr. Jamison and Buck.
“You won’t say anything to Sister Ruth,” he said coldly. “You’ll continue to come work for me like you have been all summer. You’ll both come back next year and then next until you leave this place. When you leave this place, you’ll both work for me like all the boys do. If you try to do anything differently, I’ll make your life hell. You understand?”
Buck said, “Yes Sir.”
“Now go,” Mr. Jamison said. “I’ll see you both back here at this wagon after morning prayers.”
* I’m fine, * Ike signed to her, as he once more tried to get away from the cloth she was using to doctor his injury.
“You’re not fine,” she said, as she lowered the cloth to her lap and glanced over at the frighten boy standing behind Ike. “That is what he said, isn’t it?” she asked.
The other boy nodded. “We’re going to get in trouble,” he said quietly. “Mr. Jamison told us to stay out of the house.”
“He won’t do anything to you if I tell him I had to drag you both in here to tend Ike,” she said with a smile. “Sit down, Buck. Have some lemonade with Laura while I finish this.”
Buck Cross stood frozen where he was. He knew she meant well, but her husband had specifically told him and Ike to stay away from his family and his home. The words still rang in his ears. “If I catch either of you anywhere near the main house, my wife, or daughter, there won’t be enough meat left on your bones to feed the dogs. Do you two mistakes of nature understand me?”
Ike glanced at Buck when they heard footsteps coming up the path to the front door. He too remembered the warning they’d been issued as they had climbed into the back of the wagon at the mission school. He once more tried to get away from Mrs. Jamison’s grasp.
Buck whispered, “Sit still and let her finish so we can get out of here. Maybe he won’t see us if we get out quickly enough.”
“He won’t hurt either of you,” Mrs. Jamison repeated. “I know he sounds mean, and I know he’s a hard taskmaster when you’re outside working, but he won’t hurt you once I explain why you’re here. I promise.” She smiled and returned her attention to the cut on Ike’s cheek.
Her husband stepped into the room just as she stopped sewing the gash shut. “There,” she said. “All done.”
She stood and moved to where Buck stood staring at his boss. “Did they hurt you too?” she asked, as she took his chin in her hand and turned his head so she could see his face better.
“No Ma’am,” Buck managed to say. “I wasn’t in the same place as Ike; I was working in the pens. I just came to get him when Laura yelled that he needed help.”
She nodded and turned to face her husband. He was obviously furious at the boys for being in his living room. “What did I…” he started when his wife held up her hand and said, “Don’t you even start. They’re only in here because I dragged them in here. I needed Buck to help me understand what Ike was saying, and I needed to sew Ike up. The only reason he’s hurt is that he kept your Josiah Hopkins from pushing Laura into the manure pile because she told him she didn’t want to go to the dance with him.”
Frank Jamison stared at his wife. If it wasn’t for the fact that all his money was really her money, he would have sent her flying across the room. He’d seen how his father controlled his mother and had planned to do the same with his own wife. He would have too, except her father had all the money – until that old goat passed on, he had to be very careful with how he handled her brashness. He nodded and turned to the two boys who were cowering in the corner of the room.
“Thank you,” he said. “Now please get back outside and finish up your chores so I can get you back to the mission on time. Sister Ruth will have my head if I bring you in late for evening prayers again.”
Both boys nodded and practically ran out of the room. They completed their assigned jobs in record time and were the first two back at the wagon, ready to go.
When they got back to the mission, Mr. Jamison asked to speak to them as the others hurried to their dorms to get cleaned up for dinner. “I’ll let this one time go,” he said, “but if I ever catch you near my daughter again…” He stopped speaking and let his hand rest on the handle of the bull whip he always had by his side.
Both boys looked at the ground. Neither one of them was brave enough to argue with the man. They’d both had the unfortunate experience of seeing how Mr. Jamison disciplined his workers when they didn’t follow his rules. He was an expert with his whip, his many years as overseer at a large Virginia plantation had trained him well.
He grabbed Buck by the arm. “Look at me when I’m talking to you, boy,” he said in a loud whisper.
Buck raised his eyes to face the man. He did his best to hide the fear he was feeling but wasn’t at all sure he’d been successful.
“You understand me?” the man demanded.
Buck simply nodded.
The man tightened his grip on Buck’s arm. “I asked you a question,” he said.
“Yes Sir,” Buck managed to say. “I’ll stay away from her, the house, and your wife. If you want, I’ll tell Sister Ruth that we can’t come back…”
The slap across his face stunned both Buck and Ike. Ike moved to place himself between Mr. Jamison and Buck.
“You won’t say anything to Sister Ruth,” he said coldly. “You’ll continue to come work for me like you have been all summer. You’ll both come back next year and then next until you leave this place. When you leave this place, you’ll both work for me like all the boys do. If you try to do anything differently, I’ll make your life hell. You understand?”
Buck said, “Yes Sir.”
“Now go,” Mr. Jamison said. “I’ll see you both back here at this wagon after morning prayers.”
Chapter Two
The next morning, Sister Ruth stopped Ike on his way to breakfast. “What happened to you?” she asked as she placed her hand on his chin and turned his face so she could study the cut under his eye.
Ike shrugged. * I fell, * he finally said when it was obvious she wasn’t going to let him go without an answer.
She nodded her head. “I suppose that if I ask the others, they’ll all tell me the same thing; you just fell.”
Ike shrugged again. * I have no idea what the others will say, * he said as he moved his face out of her grasp. * I just know that I fell, * he added and once more started to walk toward the dining room.
Sister Ruth let him go and turned to scan the group of boys for Buck. She cornered him as he came out of the kitchen. She walked beside him as he went to his assigned seat. “You want to tell me what really happened to Ike?” she asked him.
Buck replied, “I don’t know,” he said. “I wasn’t working in the same part of the ranch as him. I just know what he told me.”
“Which is,” Sister Ruth said.
“He fell,” Buck replied as he sat down at his table. “He was mucking the horse stalls and slipped on something. He hit his head on the corner of the feed bin.”
Sister Ruth nodded and sighed. “Do you want to tell me anything else about yesterday?” she asked. “I noticed Mr. Jamison kept the two of you at the wagon for a few minutes after he dropped everyone off.”
Buck shook his head. “He just wanted to make sure Ike was alright,” Buck lied. He hated being dishonest with Sister Ruth, but he didn’t want to get in trouble with Mr. Jamison. He’d yet to feel the whip on his skin, but he’d seen it used on others.
“So why’d he slap you?” she asked.
“I was disrespectful,” Buck replied honestly.
“How?” Sister Ruth asked.
“I suggested that he didn’t really want us working for him,” Buck said. “I guess he thought I needed some sense knocked into me.”
Sister Ruth sighed and stood. “I can’t stop sending boys there if no one will tell me what he really does,” she said. “We need the money he pays for you to work there. My bosses won’t let me stop sending boys there just because I don’t like the man. You need to tell me the truth.”
Buck took a deep breath before replying, “I am telling you the truth. He slapped me because I was being disrespectful.”
Sister Ruth shook her head. “I want you to make me a promise,” she said as she stood.
Buck looked at her and waited.
“If Mr. Jamison ever does anything to injure you, or one of the other boys, I want you to tell me. I’ll worry about finding the proof I need to put a stop to sending you there, but I need someone to tell me the truth about what happens. Can I count on you?”
Buck simply nodded. “Mr. Jamison didn’t hurt Ike,” he said, glad to be able to speak the truth. “If he had, I would tell you.”
Sister Ruth nodded. “I’m counting on you to let me know if anything happens,” she said. “I know the man is violent and should be stopped; I just need someone who isn’t afraid of him to back me.”
Buck returned to eating his meal. He needed to hurry so he wasn’t late to the wagon. It wouldn’t do to start the day off with Mr. Jamison angry at him. He was going to have to be extra careful not to upset the man after yesterday; especially now that he’d made this promise to Sister Ruth.
Buck was pleased to see that Ike’s eye hadn’t swollen too much so they were both going to be able to return to work. As they rode in the wagon, he thought about what Sister Ruth had told him. He wondered how she knew so much about Mr. Jamison; the mission had only started sending boys to work for him a couple of years ago. He paid them well, and for the most part treated them fairly.
When they reached the Jamison ranch, both boys were assigned the job of cleaning the stables because this was only their first year working here. The older boys were helping with the cattle; separating the calves to be branded. As they worked, Buck asked, “Did Sister Ruth talk to you this morning?”
Ike nodded. * She wanted to know what happened to me. *
“What did you tell her?” Buck asked, hoping he’d said the right thing.
* I told her I fell, * Ike replied.
Buck sighed in relief. “I’m glad,” he said. “That’s what I told her also. I had to tell her that I didn’t know what happened to cause it. I hate lying to her.”
Ike nodded in agreement. * I do too, but I’m not ready to have Mr. Jamison really mad at me. I don’t think I could take being disciplined here. *
Buck nodded. “I’m going to have to be extra careful,” he said. “Sister made me promise that I’d tell her if he hurt any of us. I think she knows what he does but can’t get anyone to admit what happened to them.” He paused a bit before adding, “I get the feeling that she knows Mr. Jamison better than she lets on.”
Ike once more nodded his agreement. * The other day, I heard one of the other nuns saying something about her being family. I didn’t hear all of the conversation, but I’m sure they said something about her being distraught because he did something to ruin the family. *
“I wonder what that could be,” Buck said. “How does one ruin a family?”
Ike shrugged. * We’d better get working if we’re going to get this done in time today. I don’t want to give him any reason to be upset with us after yesterday. I still think we’re lucky to be alive. *
Buck nodded and returned to the task at hand. As he worked, he tried to figure out how Sister Ruth and Mr. Jamison could be family and what he could have done that would cause her to dislike him so intensely. He hadn’t come up with any explanation that made sense to him when they were called to lunch.
As they joined the others in the line, Ike pointed to where Laura was filling the glasses of water alongside Mrs. Jamison. * Look, * he said. * With her hair pulled back and covered like that Laura sort of looks like Sister Ruth. *
Buck studied the woman and her daughter closely. He had to agree with Ike; there was a resemblance between his favorite nun and the young girl. “You’re right,” he said.
“About what?” asked a gruff voice. “You two planning on getting invited back to the big house today?”
Buck turned to find that Ike had been pushed to the ground and he was now standing next to Josiah Hopkins, an older child from town who had worked the past four summers for Mr. Jamison. “You’d best stop staring at the women folk like that, or I’ll have to tell Mr. J. He won’t be pleased to know that you’ve taken a fancy to his daughter.”
Buck dropped his gaze to the ground. “I haven’t taken a fancy to anyone,” he said.
“Don’t matter,” Josiah said. “If I tell him I heard you two plotting how to get back inside the house so you could be near her, who do you think he’s going to believe?”
Buck took a breath to steady his nerves. “You,” he told the older boy. “He’d believe you and the two of us would be punished.”
“Keep that in mind before you go staring at my future bride,” he said as he pushed past Ike and joined the older hands in the front of the line.
Ike glared after him as he left. * I’m not afraid of him, * he told Buck.
Buck nodded. “I am,” he said. “He’s right. Mr. Jamison would never believe us. He’d whip us for sure, and then I’d have to tell Sister Ruth what happened. It could be a big problem for not only us, but the whole mission. I don’t want to be the one responsible for losing that much money; I’m not ready to leave just yet.”
Ike nodded. * So what do we do? * he asked.
“We be very careful, and don’t look at Laura anymore,” he replied. “We stay as far away from both Mrs. Jamison and Laura as we possibly can.”
The rest of that day went by without incident. Laura Jamison stayed up at the house with her mother, and since Buck and Ike were working away from the other boys they didn’t have any more run-ins with anyone.
That evening, they were allowed to spend a few minutes together after evening prayers. * I remember who I heard talking about Mr. Jamison and Sister Ruth, * Ike told Buck when they settled on the corral fence.
“Who?” asked Buck.
* Sister Mary Katherine, * Ike said. * It was last week right after we’d found out that we made the work party this year. She said something about being surprised Sister Ruth would let us go because of the way she felt about Mr. Jamison. * He paused just a bit before adding, * I can’t remember who it was she was talking to, but she’s the one who mentioned something about family; I had to be careful so they didn’t catch me listening to their conversation. *
Buck nodded. “That would have put an end to getting to go to work,” he said. “I’d be willing to bet that it would have kept me off the list also.”
Ike nodded. It seemed like whatever one of them got in trouble for the other one did also – even if he was nowhere around at the time.
“Maybe when we get back from work tomorrow, I can talk to Sister Mary Katherine,” Buck said. “I think I still have a book I borrowed from her; I could ask if we could discuss something in it.”
* Do you really want to make it a habit to lie to the sisters? * Ike asked.
“I won’t really be lying to her,” said Buck with a slight grin. “I do have some questions about something in the book; I just need to go review it so I can remember what they were.” He hopped off the fence and headed back to the dormitory. They were soon sitting on Buck’s bed reading a small book about Catholic beliefs.
Ike shrugged. * I fell, * he finally said when it was obvious she wasn’t going to let him go without an answer.
She nodded her head. “I suppose that if I ask the others, they’ll all tell me the same thing; you just fell.”
Ike shrugged again. * I have no idea what the others will say, * he said as he moved his face out of her grasp. * I just know that I fell, * he added and once more started to walk toward the dining room.
Sister Ruth let him go and turned to scan the group of boys for Buck. She cornered him as he came out of the kitchen. She walked beside him as he went to his assigned seat. “You want to tell me what really happened to Ike?” she asked him.
Buck replied, “I don’t know,” he said. “I wasn’t working in the same part of the ranch as him. I just know what he told me.”
“Which is,” Sister Ruth said.
“He fell,” Buck replied as he sat down at his table. “He was mucking the horse stalls and slipped on something. He hit his head on the corner of the feed bin.”
Sister Ruth nodded and sighed. “Do you want to tell me anything else about yesterday?” she asked. “I noticed Mr. Jamison kept the two of you at the wagon for a few minutes after he dropped everyone off.”
Buck shook his head. “He just wanted to make sure Ike was alright,” Buck lied. He hated being dishonest with Sister Ruth, but he didn’t want to get in trouble with Mr. Jamison. He’d yet to feel the whip on his skin, but he’d seen it used on others.
“So why’d he slap you?” she asked.
“I was disrespectful,” Buck replied honestly.
“How?” Sister Ruth asked.
“I suggested that he didn’t really want us working for him,” Buck said. “I guess he thought I needed some sense knocked into me.”
Sister Ruth sighed and stood. “I can’t stop sending boys there if no one will tell me what he really does,” she said. “We need the money he pays for you to work there. My bosses won’t let me stop sending boys there just because I don’t like the man. You need to tell me the truth.”
Buck took a deep breath before replying, “I am telling you the truth. He slapped me because I was being disrespectful.”
Sister Ruth shook her head. “I want you to make me a promise,” she said as she stood.
Buck looked at her and waited.
“If Mr. Jamison ever does anything to injure you, or one of the other boys, I want you to tell me. I’ll worry about finding the proof I need to put a stop to sending you there, but I need someone to tell me the truth about what happens. Can I count on you?”
Buck simply nodded. “Mr. Jamison didn’t hurt Ike,” he said, glad to be able to speak the truth. “If he had, I would tell you.”
Sister Ruth nodded. “I’m counting on you to let me know if anything happens,” she said. “I know the man is violent and should be stopped; I just need someone who isn’t afraid of him to back me.”
Buck returned to eating his meal. He needed to hurry so he wasn’t late to the wagon. It wouldn’t do to start the day off with Mr. Jamison angry at him. He was going to have to be extra careful not to upset the man after yesterday; especially now that he’d made this promise to Sister Ruth.
Buck was pleased to see that Ike’s eye hadn’t swollen too much so they were both going to be able to return to work. As they rode in the wagon, he thought about what Sister Ruth had told him. He wondered how she knew so much about Mr. Jamison; the mission had only started sending boys to work for him a couple of years ago. He paid them well, and for the most part treated them fairly.
When they reached the Jamison ranch, both boys were assigned the job of cleaning the stables because this was only their first year working here. The older boys were helping with the cattle; separating the calves to be branded. As they worked, Buck asked, “Did Sister Ruth talk to you this morning?”
Ike nodded. * She wanted to know what happened to me. *
“What did you tell her?” Buck asked, hoping he’d said the right thing.
* I told her I fell, * Ike replied.
Buck sighed in relief. “I’m glad,” he said. “That’s what I told her also. I had to tell her that I didn’t know what happened to cause it. I hate lying to her.”
Ike nodded in agreement. * I do too, but I’m not ready to have Mr. Jamison really mad at me. I don’t think I could take being disciplined here. *
Buck nodded. “I’m going to have to be extra careful,” he said. “Sister made me promise that I’d tell her if he hurt any of us. I think she knows what he does but can’t get anyone to admit what happened to them.” He paused a bit before adding, “I get the feeling that she knows Mr. Jamison better than she lets on.”
Ike once more nodded his agreement. * The other day, I heard one of the other nuns saying something about her being family. I didn’t hear all of the conversation, but I’m sure they said something about her being distraught because he did something to ruin the family. *
“I wonder what that could be,” Buck said. “How does one ruin a family?”
Ike shrugged. * We’d better get working if we’re going to get this done in time today. I don’t want to give him any reason to be upset with us after yesterday. I still think we’re lucky to be alive. *
Buck nodded and returned to the task at hand. As he worked, he tried to figure out how Sister Ruth and Mr. Jamison could be family and what he could have done that would cause her to dislike him so intensely. He hadn’t come up with any explanation that made sense to him when they were called to lunch.
As they joined the others in the line, Ike pointed to where Laura was filling the glasses of water alongside Mrs. Jamison. * Look, * he said. * With her hair pulled back and covered like that Laura sort of looks like Sister Ruth. *
Buck studied the woman and her daughter closely. He had to agree with Ike; there was a resemblance between his favorite nun and the young girl. “You’re right,” he said.
“About what?” asked a gruff voice. “You two planning on getting invited back to the big house today?”
Buck turned to find that Ike had been pushed to the ground and he was now standing next to Josiah Hopkins, an older child from town who had worked the past four summers for Mr. Jamison. “You’d best stop staring at the women folk like that, or I’ll have to tell Mr. J. He won’t be pleased to know that you’ve taken a fancy to his daughter.”
Buck dropped his gaze to the ground. “I haven’t taken a fancy to anyone,” he said.
“Don’t matter,” Josiah said. “If I tell him I heard you two plotting how to get back inside the house so you could be near her, who do you think he’s going to believe?”
Buck took a breath to steady his nerves. “You,” he told the older boy. “He’d believe you and the two of us would be punished.”
“Keep that in mind before you go staring at my future bride,” he said as he pushed past Ike and joined the older hands in the front of the line.
Ike glared after him as he left. * I’m not afraid of him, * he told Buck.
Buck nodded. “I am,” he said. “He’s right. Mr. Jamison would never believe us. He’d whip us for sure, and then I’d have to tell Sister Ruth what happened. It could be a big problem for not only us, but the whole mission. I don’t want to be the one responsible for losing that much money; I’m not ready to leave just yet.”
Ike nodded. * So what do we do? * he asked.
“We be very careful, and don’t look at Laura anymore,” he replied. “We stay as far away from both Mrs. Jamison and Laura as we possibly can.”
The rest of that day went by without incident. Laura Jamison stayed up at the house with her mother, and since Buck and Ike were working away from the other boys they didn’t have any more run-ins with anyone.
That evening, they were allowed to spend a few minutes together after evening prayers. * I remember who I heard talking about Mr. Jamison and Sister Ruth, * Ike told Buck when they settled on the corral fence.
“Who?” asked Buck.
* Sister Mary Katherine, * Ike said. * It was last week right after we’d found out that we made the work party this year. She said something about being surprised Sister Ruth would let us go because of the way she felt about Mr. Jamison. * He paused just a bit before adding, * I can’t remember who it was she was talking to, but she’s the one who mentioned something about family; I had to be careful so they didn’t catch me listening to their conversation. *
Buck nodded. “That would have put an end to getting to go to work,” he said. “I’d be willing to bet that it would have kept me off the list also.”
Ike nodded. It seemed like whatever one of them got in trouble for the other one did also – even if he was nowhere around at the time.
“Maybe when we get back from work tomorrow, I can talk to Sister Mary Katherine,” Buck said. “I think I still have a book I borrowed from her; I could ask if we could discuss something in it.”
* Do you really want to make it a habit to lie to the sisters? * Ike asked.
“I won’t really be lying to her,” said Buck with a slight grin. “I do have some questions about something in the book; I just need to go review it so I can remember what they were.” He hopped off the fence and headed back to the dormitory. They were soon sitting on Buck’s bed reading a small book about Catholic beliefs.
Chapter Three
The next day of work was much the same as the one before; Buck and Ike were assigned jobs away from the other boys who were once more working with separating the cattle for branding.
When they returned to the mission, Buck quickly sought out Sister Mary Katherine. “I would like to talk to you about the book you gave me to read over the summer,” he told her. “Could we set a time tomorrow when we could meet?”
Sister Mary Katherine studied the boy before her. “You would give up your afternoon of free time to discuss Catholic catechism with me?” she asked.
Buck nodded. “I need to understand the teachings of your church if I am going to decide what I believe. I do not mind spending my afternoon with you instead of the other children; this way I cannot get into trouble.” He smiled at the nun.
“I would be happy to meet with you after lunch tomorrow,” she said, returning his smile. “You can come to my school room when you are released for free time.”
“Thank you,” Buck said. “I will meet you there.” He turned and went back to the dormitory. He once more spent the few hours of downtime the children had before bed studying the small book Sister Mary Katherine had loaned him. He really hoped she could answer some of the questions the book raised for him, as well as help him understand why his current employer was such a thorn in the side of Sister Ruth.
Sundays were the one day of the week when the students who were old enough to spend the summers working, did not go to work. They attended Mass, spent a few hours in religious studies and after lunch were allowed some free time before the evening meal.
Usually, Buck and Ike spent these few hours talking so Ike could continue to learn new signs. He had taken quickly to the use of Indian sign, but still had much to learn. The fact that Buck did not know the English words for everything did not help because he couldn’t tell Ike what it was unless Ike could show him.
Today, instead of heading to the stables with Ike, Buck went to retrieve his book and find Sister Mary Katherine. As he was going to her classroom, he noticed Josiah Hopkins and some of the other boys from town heading towards the stable. He quickly ran the short distance to where Ike was feeding the barn cats. “You need to come with me,” he said.
* Why? * asked Ike. * I thought you were going to talk to Sister Mary Katherine. *
“I am,” said Buck, “but Josiah and his buddies are headed this way. I’ll bet you anything they’re looking for you.”
Ike nodded. He quickly finished his task and soon he and Buck were walking across the yard together. The boys from town could not do anything; there were too many others around to start something and not have at least one person say it was their fault.
When they reached the school building, Buck knocked on Sister Mary Katherine’s door. “Do you mind if Ike sits in with us?” Buck asked. “He’s trying to stay out of trouble, so we get to continue working at Mr. Jamison’s place.”
Sister Mary Katherine glanced over the boys’ heads into the courtyard. She saw the group of young men from town and nodded. “I think that would be a wonderful idea,” she said, as she pushed open the door to let the boys enter.
After a few minutes of discussing the book, Buck managed to bring the conversation around to Mr. Jamison and his family. “Do they attend church elsewhere? I never see them here as I do some of the other workers. I thought this was the only church in the area.”
“It is,” said Sister Mary Katherine. “I’m not sure about Mr. Jamison’s religious preference, but I know he is no longer Catholic. He cannot be since he has been married before.”
“Why does that keep him from being Catholic?” Buck asked. He thought of the men in the village who often married again after the death of a wife. His own brother was currently married to his second wife; his first one having died in the attack that took their mother. “Are Catholic men not allowed to replace a wife if she dies?”
“His wife didn’t die,” Sister Mary Katherine replied. “He left her so that he could marry his current wife because her father had money which Mr. Jamison wants.” She stopped speaking and stood. She made her way across the room and opened the door. “I think we need to stop now; I should not be discussing these things with you.”
Buck nodded. “I did not mean to pry into something that is not my business. I just did not understand why Mr. Jamison insists that his workers attend church if he does not.”
Sister Mary Katherine nodded. “I understand how that could be puzzling,” she said. “Perhaps you should ask Sister Ruth; she knows him better than the rest of us.”
“She does not like him,” Buck stated. “I do not know why, but I know that she does not.”
“His first wife was her sister,” Sister Mary Katherine said. “She was so upset when he left her that she killed herself.” She once more caught herself. “I’ve told you more than I should have already. You need to talk to Sister Ruth if you want to find out more; it’s really none of my business.”
Buck nodded. He picked up his book. “Thank you for discussing this with us. It has been most helpful to me; I’m still not sure I agree with everything your church teaches, but I understand it better now. Can I talk to you again if I have more questions?”
Sister Mary Katherine smiled. “Why don’t you ask Sister Ruth to help you?” she suggested. “She is more knowledgeable about these things than I am.”
Buck smiled as he turned to leave. “I think I’ll do that,” he said. “Perhaps she will have time to talk to us today. Do you know where we could find her?”
Sister Mary Katherine said, “She usually spends her afternoons in the chapel praying.”
* Would she be upset if we bothered her? * asked Ike.
“I don’t think she’d mind discussing religion with either of you,” Sister Mary Katherine replied. “I think she will be happy that you are interested in learning more.”
The boys smiled and thanked the nun before heading over to the chapel to see if they could find Sister Ruth. As they walked, Buck thought about how to bring this conversation around to Mr. Jamison.
* Maybe you can ask her why we never see them here since we do all the prayers and things like we do here out there, * suggested Ike.
Buck shrugged. “That might work,” he said. “I’m just not sure how to bring up the subject in the first place. I don’t think I can just walk in there and ask her.”
Ike nodded. * I’m sure you’ll think of something, * he said. * You usually do, and if you don’t; I will. * He smiled.
Buck laughed as he pushed open the door to the chapel. “I hope you’re right,” he whispered as they entered.
They made their way down the aisle and quietly knelt behind Sister Ruth. They waited quietly as she finished her prayer before turning to face them. “To what do I owe this pleasure?” she asked them with a smile.
“We were discussing this with Sister Mary Katherine,” Buck said holding up the small book he’d brought with him. “She suggested we ask you the questions she couldn’t answer. We were wondering if we could trouble you for a conversation.”
Sister Ruth’s smile broadened. “I’d be happy to talk to you. Why don’t we go over to my room where we can be a bit more comfortable?”
When they returned to the mission, Buck quickly sought out Sister Mary Katherine. “I would like to talk to you about the book you gave me to read over the summer,” he told her. “Could we set a time tomorrow when we could meet?”
Sister Mary Katherine studied the boy before her. “You would give up your afternoon of free time to discuss Catholic catechism with me?” she asked.
Buck nodded. “I need to understand the teachings of your church if I am going to decide what I believe. I do not mind spending my afternoon with you instead of the other children; this way I cannot get into trouble.” He smiled at the nun.
“I would be happy to meet with you after lunch tomorrow,” she said, returning his smile. “You can come to my school room when you are released for free time.”
“Thank you,” Buck said. “I will meet you there.” He turned and went back to the dormitory. He once more spent the few hours of downtime the children had before bed studying the small book Sister Mary Katherine had loaned him. He really hoped she could answer some of the questions the book raised for him, as well as help him understand why his current employer was such a thorn in the side of Sister Ruth.
Sundays were the one day of the week when the students who were old enough to spend the summers working, did not go to work. They attended Mass, spent a few hours in religious studies and after lunch were allowed some free time before the evening meal.
Usually, Buck and Ike spent these few hours talking so Ike could continue to learn new signs. He had taken quickly to the use of Indian sign, but still had much to learn. The fact that Buck did not know the English words for everything did not help because he couldn’t tell Ike what it was unless Ike could show him.
Today, instead of heading to the stables with Ike, Buck went to retrieve his book and find Sister Mary Katherine. As he was going to her classroom, he noticed Josiah Hopkins and some of the other boys from town heading towards the stable. He quickly ran the short distance to where Ike was feeding the barn cats. “You need to come with me,” he said.
* Why? * asked Ike. * I thought you were going to talk to Sister Mary Katherine. *
“I am,” said Buck, “but Josiah and his buddies are headed this way. I’ll bet you anything they’re looking for you.”
Ike nodded. He quickly finished his task and soon he and Buck were walking across the yard together. The boys from town could not do anything; there were too many others around to start something and not have at least one person say it was their fault.
When they reached the school building, Buck knocked on Sister Mary Katherine’s door. “Do you mind if Ike sits in with us?” Buck asked. “He’s trying to stay out of trouble, so we get to continue working at Mr. Jamison’s place.”
Sister Mary Katherine glanced over the boys’ heads into the courtyard. She saw the group of young men from town and nodded. “I think that would be a wonderful idea,” she said, as she pushed open the door to let the boys enter.
After a few minutes of discussing the book, Buck managed to bring the conversation around to Mr. Jamison and his family. “Do they attend church elsewhere? I never see them here as I do some of the other workers. I thought this was the only church in the area.”
“It is,” said Sister Mary Katherine. “I’m not sure about Mr. Jamison’s religious preference, but I know he is no longer Catholic. He cannot be since he has been married before.”
“Why does that keep him from being Catholic?” Buck asked. He thought of the men in the village who often married again after the death of a wife. His own brother was currently married to his second wife; his first one having died in the attack that took their mother. “Are Catholic men not allowed to replace a wife if she dies?”
“His wife didn’t die,” Sister Mary Katherine replied. “He left her so that he could marry his current wife because her father had money which Mr. Jamison wants.” She stopped speaking and stood. She made her way across the room and opened the door. “I think we need to stop now; I should not be discussing these things with you.”
Buck nodded. “I did not mean to pry into something that is not my business. I just did not understand why Mr. Jamison insists that his workers attend church if he does not.”
Sister Mary Katherine nodded. “I understand how that could be puzzling,” she said. “Perhaps you should ask Sister Ruth; she knows him better than the rest of us.”
“She does not like him,” Buck stated. “I do not know why, but I know that she does not.”
“His first wife was her sister,” Sister Mary Katherine said. “She was so upset when he left her that she killed herself.” She once more caught herself. “I’ve told you more than I should have already. You need to talk to Sister Ruth if you want to find out more; it’s really none of my business.”
Buck nodded. He picked up his book. “Thank you for discussing this with us. It has been most helpful to me; I’m still not sure I agree with everything your church teaches, but I understand it better now. Can I talk to you again if I have more questions?”
Sister Mary Katherine smiled. “Why don’t you ask Sister Ruth to help you?” she suggested. “She is more knowledgeable about these things than I am.”
Buck smiled as he turned to leave. “I think I’ll do that,” he said. “Perhaps she will have time to talk to us today. Do you know where we could find her?”
Sister Mary Katherine said, “She usually spends her afternoons in the chapel praying.”
* Would she be upset if we bothered her? * asked Ike.
“I don’t think she’d mind discussing religion with either of you,” Sister Mary Katherine replied. “I think she will be happy that you are interested in learning more.”
The boys smiled and thanked the nun before heading over to the chapel to see if they could find Sister Ruth. As they walked, Buck thought about how to bring this conversation around to Mr. Jamison.
* Maybe you can ask her why we never see them here since we do all the prayers and things like we do here out there, * suggested Ike.
Buck shrugged. “That might work,” he said. “I’m just not sure how to bring up the subject in the first place. I don’t think I can just walk in there and ask her.”
Ike nodded. * I’m sure you’ll think of something, * he said. * You usually do, and if you don’t; I will. * He smiled.
Buck laughed as he pushed open the door to the chapel. “I hope you’re right,” he whispered as they entered.
They made their way down the aisle and quietly knelt behind Sister Ruth. They waited quietly as she finished her prayer before turning to face them. “To what do I owe this pleasure?” she asked them with a smile.
“We were discussing this with Sister Mary Katherine,” Buck said holding up the small book he’d brought with him. “She suggested we ask you the questions she couldn’t answer. We were wondering if we could trouble you for a conversation.”
Sister Ruth’s smile broadened. “I’d be happy to talk to you. Why don’t we go over to my room where we can be a bit more comfortable?”
Chapter Four
A bit later the three were enjoying a pleasant conversation about the views of the Catholic Church on marriage. “Why can a person not remarry and stay in your church?” Buck asked.
“Who told you a person could not remarry and stay in the church?” asked Sister Ruth.
“Sister Mary Katherine said that the reason I’ve never seen Mr. Jamison in church is because he is not allowed to attend since he is married to a second wife,” explained Buck.
“Why did she tell you that?” asked Sister Ruth.
“I asked her why he was never here because he insists that we say our prayers and behave when we are at his place. His home has a crucifix hanging inside it, and…”
“You’ve been in his home?” Sister Ruth asked, cutting off Buck’s explanation.
Buck nodded. “The other day when Ike was injured Mrs. Jamison insisted I come along so she could understand him, and I think she was a little afraid of him. Did we do something wrong?”
“No,” said Sister Ruth. “It’s just that he’s always told the boys to stay away from his family and his home. I’m just surprised that he allowed you to go inside.”
* He wasn’t exactly pleased, * said Ike. He quit talking when Buck glared at him and shook his head.
Sister Ruth noticed the exchange. “That’s why he slapped you, isn’t it?” she asked. “Tell me the truth this time.”
Buck nodded. “He had warned us to stay away. We tried to tell her that we weren’t allowed, but she insisted that since Ike was injured while working there it was her responsibility to take care of him.”
“You still insisting that you fell?” Sister Ruth asked Ike.
Ike simply nodded.
“You sticking to your story about not knowing what happened to him?” she asked, turning to face Buck.
“I wasn’t with him when he was injured,” Buck replied. “I cannot say what happened when I wasn’t there. Would you like me to repeat gossip?”
Sister Ruth shook her head. “No,” she sighed. “I would not like you to repeat gossip; I would like for you to tell me what he told you caused him to fall.”
Buck smiled. “He never told me what caused him to fall,” he said. “I never asked him; I was too afraid of what was going to happen to us for disobeying Mr. Jamison. I feared that we would not be allowed to return to work, and I wish to learn from him. He has much he can teach me about how to work cattle.”
Sister Ruth sighed once more. “I’m holding you to your promise that you will tell me if he ever hurts one of you.”
“I will tell you,” replied Buck. “I have not changed my mind about that, but I know that Mr. Jamison did not hurt Ike. He was at the far pens when I was called away.”
Sister Ruth took the book they’d been discussing and closed it. “Who called you?” she asked, suddenly interested in learning more about what had happened a few days earlier at the Jamison BarJ ranch.
“I heard Laura hollering for her mother to come quickly because Ike was hurt,” Buck said. “I ran to the stable as quickly as I could to see what had happened. When Mrs. Jamison arrived, she ordered us both up to the house. Ike told her that we weren’t allowed, and she grabbed him by the arm and started pulling him up there. Once she did that we didn’t really have any choice. I mean, what was he going to do; hit her to get away?”
Ike noticed that when Buck mentioned Laura, Sister Ruth had momentarily stopped listening. He noticed again how much the girl favored the nun. Unable to resist he asked, * Are you related to them?*
Sister Ruth quickly covered the surprise that flashed across her face. “Whatever gave you that idea?” she asked.
* You look like Laura, * Ike said, despite Buck’s warning glare. * She could be your daughter. *
Sister Ruth shook her head. “She’s not my daughter; she’s my niece,” she said. “Her mother was my younger sister. Alexander Jamison drove her to suicide. I’m not sure I can forgive him for that,” Sister Ruth said. “He used to beat her when she didn’t do exactly what he said, and then when he met her friend who had money, he left her, took her daughter, and refused to let her visit the child. He told everyone that she drank, and that was why she always had so many bruises. My sister couldn’t stand the shame so she took her own life.” She stopped speaking in order to keep from crying.
“I’m sorry,” said Buck, suddenly wishing he hadn’t decided to find out the story behind Sister Ruth and Mr. Jamison. “I did not wish to cause you pain.”
Sister Ruth shook her head. “You didn’t cause the pain,” she said. “Alexander Jamison caused all the pain in my life. I came out here to put him behind me and the next thing I know he’s here with a letter from the bishop instructing me to allow my students to work for him. Turns out an old school friend of his from back east, William something or other, had moved this way and wrote to tell him how wonderful it was here.
“Alexander didn’t get the letter telling him not to come because of the Indians until he’d already traveled this far. He’d sold everything he had in order to pay for the trip because his father-in-law insisted that he’d get no money to help him get started. Anyway, he bought some land and started up the BarJ. He needed cheap labor in order to turn a profit, so he contacted his friend the bishop.
“I tried to tell them what type of person he was, but no one would listen to me.” She once more stopped speaking and wiped her eyes. “Promise me you will both be careful. He can be vicious when he’s upset.”
Buck and Ike both promised they would be careful. “We’ll be extra careful,” Buck told her. “And if I see him doing anything to endanger Laura or one of the other boys, I’ll tell you and anyone else who will listen, but I still think we should work for him. He can teach us much we need to survive in the world.”
“Who told you a person could not remarry and stay in the church?” asked Sister Ruth.
“Sister Mary Katherine said that the reason I’ve never seen Mr. Jamison in church is because he is not allowed to attend since he is married to a second wife,” explained Buck.
“Why did she tell you that?” asked Sister Ruth.
“I asked her why he was never here because he insists that we say our prayers and behave when we are at his place. His home has a crucifix hanging inside it, and…”
“You’ve been in his home?” Sister Ruth asked, cutting off Buck’s explanation.
Buck nodded. “The other day when Ike was injured Mrs. Jamison insisted I come along so she could understand him, and I think she was a little afraid of him. Did we do something wrong?”
“No,” said Sister Ruth. “It’s just that he’s always told the boys to stay away from his family and his home. I’m just surprised that he allowed you to go inside.”
* He wasn’t exactly pleased, * said Ike. He quit talking when Buck glared at him and shook his head.
Sister Ruth noticed the exchange. “That’s why he slapped you, isn’t it?” she asked. “Tell me the truth this time.”
Buck nodded. “He had warned us to stay away. We tried to tell her that we weren’t allowed, but she insisted that since Ike was injured while working there it was her responsibility to take care of him.”
“You still insisting that you fell?” Sister Ruth asked Ike.
Ike simply nodded.
“You sticking to your story about not knowing what happened to him?” she asked, turning to face Buck.
“I wasn’t with him when he was injured,” Buck replied. “I cannot say what happened when I wasn’t there. Would you like me to repeat gossip?”
Sister Ruth shook her head. “No,” she sighed. “I would not like you to repeat gossip; I would like for you to tell me what he told you caused him to fall.”
Buck smiled. “He never told me what caused him to fall,” he said. “I never asked him; I was too afraid of what was going to happen to us for disobeying Mr. Jamison. I feared that we would not be allowed to return to work, and I wish to learn from him. He has much he can teach me about how to work cattle.”
Sister Ruth sighed once more. “I’m holding you to your promise that you will tell me if he ever hurts one of you.”
“I will tell you,” replied Buck. “I have not changed my mind about that, but I know that Mr. Jamison did not hurt Ike. He was at the far pens when I was called away.”
Sister Ruth took the book they’d been discussing and closed it. “Who called you?” she asked, suddenly interested in learning more about what had happened a few days earlier at the Jamison BarJ ranch.
“I heard Laura hollering for her mother to come quickly because Ike was hurt,” Buck said. “I ran to the stable as quickly as I could to see what had happened. When Mrs. Jamison arrived, she ordered us both up to the house. Ike told her that we weren’t allowed, and she grabbed him by the arm and started pulling him up there. Once she did that we didn’t really have any choice. I mean, what was he going to do; hit her to get away?”
Ike noticed that when Buck mentioned Laura, Sister Ruth had momentarily stopped listening. He noticed again how much the girl favored the nun. Unable to resist he asked, * Are you related to them?*
Sister Ruth quickly covered the surprise that flashed across her face. “Whatever gave you that idea?” she asked.
* You look like Laura, * Ike said, despite Buck’s warning glare. * She could be your daughter. *
Sister Ruth shook her head. “She’s not my daughter; she’s my niece,” she said. “Her mother was my younger sister. Alexander Jamison drove her to suicide. I’m not sure I can forgive him for that,” Sister Ruth said. “He used to beat her when she didn’t do exactly what he said, and then when he met her friend who had money, he left her, took her daughter, and refused to let her visit the child. He told everyone that she drank, and that was why she always had so many bruises. My sister couldn’t stand the shame so she took her own life.” She stopped speaking in order to keep from crying.
“I’m sorry,” said Buck, suddenly wishing he hadn’t decided to find out the story behind Sister Ruth and Mr. Jamison. “I did not wish to cause you pain.”
Sister Ruth shook her head. “You didn’t cause the pain,” she said. “Alexander Jamison caused all the pain in my life. I came out here to put him behind me and the next thing I know he’s here with a letter from the bishop instructing me to allow my students to work for him. Turns out an old school friend of his from back east, William something or other, had moved this way and wrote to tell him how wonderful it was here.
“Alexander didn’t get the letter telling him not to come because of the Indians until he’d already traveled this far. He’d sold everything he had in order to pay for the trip because his father-in-law insisted that he’d get no money to help him get started. Anyway, he bought some land and started up the BarJ. He needed cheap labor in order to turn a profit, so he contacted his friend the bishop.
“I tried to tell them what type of person he was, but no one would listen to me.” She once more stopped speaking and wiped her eyes. “Promise me you will both be careful. He can be vicious when he’s upset.”
Buck and Ike both promised they would be careful. “We’ll be extra careful,” Buck told her. “And if I see him doing anything to endanger Laura or one of the other boys, I’ll tell you and anyone else who will listen, but I still think we should work for him. He can teach us much we need to survive in the world.”
Chapter Five
Buck and Ike managed to work the rest of the summer without gaining any more unwanted attention from Mr. Jamison. They were not as lucky at avoiding contact with Josiah Hopkins. He would cause trouble for them at the mission whenever he had a chance. He was particularly fond of waiting in the stables until Ike came in to tend the animals. It was on one such occasion that he first learned that he didn’t really want to tangle with Buck.
The night was warm for fall; the animals were restless. *I think there’s a storm brewing,* Ike said, as he turned to go feed the horses.
Buck nodded. “I think you’re right,” he said, “but what makes you say that?”
* The animals, * Ike answered. *They’ve been restless all day. The last time they were like this the wind almost took the roof off the school. *
Buck smiled. “I guess I could help you finish up with your chores then so we can get back to the dormitory before this hits.”
Ike grinned. * Thanks, * he said. * Let’s get going. *
They ran across the yard and into the barn. Just outside the door, Buck slipped so that Ike entered the barn alone. Buck made it inside just in time to see Josiah push Ike down. “Why don’t you call for help?” he asked, as he kicked Ike in the stomach. “Oh, that’s right, you can’t; you’re a dummy.” He laughed as he continued to kick Ike so that Ike couldn’t regain his feet.
Something inside of Buck snapped. He grabbed the nearest tool and attacked Josiah. He pinned the older boy against the wall with the pitchfork. “Don’t you ever call him that again,” Buck said coolly. “If you do, it will be the last words you ever speak.” He stared at Josiah and was pleased to see fear overtaking him. Keeping his voice low, Buck said, “I suggest that you leave here and never return. I’m not sure I can keep myself from hurting you if I see you in here again. Do you understand me?”
Josiah managed to nod his head.
“Good,” said Buck. “Now get the hell out of here.” He lowered the pitchfork and went to where Ike lay. He checked Ike over to be sure there were no serious injuries, and then he quickly tended the animals at Ike’s insistence.
When Buck finished with the animals, he helped Ike back to the dormitory. They decided not to mention the incident to the nuns because they didn’t want to get in trouble. No one else had been in the barn, and it was possible if they caused an investigation Josiah would say they attacked him.
They were both pleased when the next week Josiah gave them a wide berth after church. In fact, he worked really hard at being sure to stay out of their way and to keep his friends away from them also. Ike was a bit confused when Buck didn’t seem to remember the incident that brought about this change.
The next summer, Buck and Ike were once more chosen to work for Mr. Jamison. He once more warned them to stay away from his house and family. As the summer wore one, this became harder and harder to do because Laura began to spend more and more time down in the barn where the boys usually worked.
One day she surprised them as they were taking a break from the task of cleaning the stables. “Can you teach me to do that?” she asked as she entered the building.
“Do what, Miss?” Buck asked, moving to stand and back away from the door.
“Talk to him like you do?” Laura said.
“You just need to talk,” Buck said. “Ike hears just fine.”
Laura laughed. “I know that,” she said. “I’m not stupid. I mean I want to be able to understand what he says back. Can you teach me?”
Buck glanced at Ike. Ike shrugged. * You’re on your own for this one, * he said. * I don’t know what you do. *
Laura watched the exchange and noticed the fear in Buck’s eyes. “You’re afraid Father will be angry, aren’t you?” she asked, as it dawned on her that all the workers were always warned to keep their distance.
Buck simply nodded. “We were told to be sure we didn’t bother you,” he said.
“Then I suggest you do as I ask,” she said. “If you don’t, I can tell him that you…”
Buck paled. “Please,” he said. “Don’t tell him we did something that will make him angry. I don’t want to have him mad at me, at us. We need the job.”
“Then teach me,” she said. “He’s always gone for at least an hour after lunch. We can meet then for a few minutes. I won’t make you miss too much work time. I really want to learn.”
Buck once more glanced at Ike. This time Ike said, * I don’t see what harm it could do. Especially if the alternative is having her tell her father that we did something to her. *
Buck sighed and nodded. “Can we start tomorrow?” he asked. “That way we can be sure we finish our chores for today, and we can make sure we work harder in the morning.”
Laura nodded. “That will be terrific,” she said. “I can’t wait. I promise not to tell anyone, so you won’t get in trouble. I won’t even tell Mother.” With that, she left the two boys to finish the task at hand and ponder their fate if discovered by her father or one of the other workers.
The next day the boys were relieved to be given a reprieve from their problem. Instead of being left behind when the others went to gather the herd, they were taken along to keep an eye on the extra horses. “You’ll need to learn all the different jobs if you plan on working for me once you get out of school,” Mr. Jamison said. “I’ve decided that you two are possibly the best workers I’ve had come out of that place so I’m going to be sure and train you well.”
The boys thanked him and hoped that Laura didn’t get them in trouble since it wasn’t their decision which jobs they were to complete each day. They were both greatly relieved when that day at lunch, Laura told Buck, “I hope you get a chance to keep your promise. I really do want to learn how to communicate with Ike. I think he’s rather cute.”
Buck simply nodded. “I’m glad you understand that I didn’t break my promise on purpose. I’ll teach you what I can when I have a chance.” He then took his plate of food and quickly joined the other workers so as not to draw attention to himself.
The night was warm for fall; the animals were restless. *I think there’s a storm brewing,* Ike said, as he turned to go feed the horses.
Buck nodded. “I think you’re right,” he said, “but what makes you say that?”
* The animals, * Ike answered. *They’ve been restless all day. The last time they were like this the wind almost took the roof off the school. *
Buck smiled. “I guess I could help you finish up with your chores then so we can get back to the dormitory before this hits.”
Ike grinned. * Thanks, * he said. * Let’s get going. *
They ran across the yard and into the barn. Just outside the door, Buck slipped so that Ike entered the barn alone. Buck made it inside just in time to see Josiah push Ike down. “Why don’t you call for help?” he asked, as he kicked Ike in the stomach. “Oh, that’s right, you can’t; you’re a dummy.” He laughed as he continued to kick Ike so that Ike couldn’t regain his feet.
Something inside of Buck snapped. He grabbed the nearest tool and attacked Josiah. He pinned the older boy against the wall with the pitchfork. “Don’t you ever call him that again,” Buck said coolly. “If you do, it will be the last words you ever speak.” He stared at Josiah and was pleased to see fear overtaking him. Keeping his voice low, Buck said, “I suggest that you leave here and never return. I’m not sure I can keep myself from hurting you if I see you in here again. Do you understand me?”
Josiah managed to nod his head.
“Good,” said Buck. “Now get the hell out of here.” He lowered the pitchfork and went to where Ike lay. He checked Ike over to be sure there were no serious injuries, and then he quickly tended the animals at Ike’s insistence.
When Buck finished with the animals, he helped Ike back to the dormitory. They decided not to mention the incident to the nuns because they didn’t want to get in trouble. No one else had been in the barn, and it was possible if they caused an investigation Josiah would say they attacked him.
They were both pleased when the next week Josiah gave them a wide berth after church. In fact, he worked really hard at being sure to stay out of their way and to keep his friends away from them also. Ike was a bit confused when Buck didn’t seem to remember the incident that brought about this change.
The next summer, Buck and Ike were once more chosen to work for Mr. Jamison. He once more warned them to stay away from his house and family. As the summer wore one, this became harder and harder to do because Laura began to spend more and more time down in the barn where the boys usually worked.
One day she surprised them as they were taking a break from the task of cleaning the stables. “Can you teach me to do that?” she asked as she entered the building.
“Do what, Miss?” Buck asked, moving to stand and back away from the door.
“Talk to him like you do?” Laura said.
“You just need to talk,” Buck said. “Ike hears just fine.”
Laura laughed. “I know that,” she said. “I’m not stupid. I mean I want to be able to understand what he says back. Can you teach me?”
Buck glanced at Ike. Ike shrugged. * You’re on your own for this one, * he said. * I don’t know what you do. *
Laura watched the exchange and noticed the fear in Buck’s eyes. “You’re afraid Father will be angry, aren’t you?” she asked, as it dawned on her that all the workers were always warned to keep their distance.
Buck simply nodded. “We were told to be sure we didn’t bother you,” he said.
“Then I suggest you do as I ask,” she said. “If you don’t, I can tell him that you…”
Buck paled. “Please,” he said. “Don’t tell him we did something that will make him angry. I don’t want to have him mad at me, at us. We need the job.”
“Then teach me,” she said. “He’s always gone for at least an hour after lunch. We can meet then for a few minutes. I won’t make you miss too much work time. I really want to learn.”
Buck once more glanced at Ike. This time Ike said, * I don’t see what harm it could do. Especially if the alternative is having her tell her father that we did something to her. *
Buck sighed and nodded. “Can we start tomorrow?” he asked. “That way we can be sure we finish our chores for today, and we can make sure we work harder in the morning.”
Laura nodded. “That will be terrific,” she said. “I can’t wait. I promise not to tell anyone, so you won’t get in trouble. I won’t even tell Mother.” With that, she left the two boys to finish the task at hand and ponder their fate if discovered by her father or one of the other workers.
The next day the boys were relieved to be given a reprieve from their problem. Instead of being left behind when the others went to gather the herd, they were taken along to keep an eye on the extra horses. “You’ll need to learn all the different jobs if you plan on working for me once you get out of school,” Mr. Jamison said. “I’ve decided that you two are possibly the best workers I’ve had come out of that place so I’m going to be sure and train you well.”
The boys thanked him and hoped that Laura didn’t get them in trouble since it wasn’t their decision which jobs they were to complete each day. They were both greatly relieved when that day at lunch, Laura told Buck, “I hope you get a chance to keep your promise. I really do want to learn how to communicate with Ike. I think he’s rather cute.”
Buck simply nodded. “I’m glad you understand that I didn’t break my promise on purpose. I’ll teach you what I can when I have a chance.” He then took his plate of food and quickly joined the other workers so as not to draw attention to himself.
Chapter Six
With only a few more weeks of summer left, Buck and Ike were pleased that they’d spent most of it away from the house. They’d managed to avoid having to spend time with Laura without it being anything they had control over. Their luck took an unexpected turn when they arrived at the ranch for their last week of work before school started.
“I need you two to go help at the house,” Mr. Jamison told them, frowning.
“Sir?” asked Buck.
“My wife’s father has taken ill,” Mr. Jamison replied. “She needs some extra help at the house, and she asked for you two by name. I couldn’t very well tell her ‘no’ now, could I?”
Buck shook his head.
“Just do what she tells you to do,” Mr. Jamison instructed. “If you finish everything she needs you to do, come down here and help with the stables. You think you can manage that?”
Buck said, “Yes, Sir.”
Ike nodded.
They turned and walked slowly toward the main house. * What do we do now? * Ike asked as they knocked on the door to the kitchen.
“Whatever Mrs. Jamison tells us to do,” replied Buck. “You heard the man. You want to make him upset by not doing what she tells us?”
Ike shook his head.
The door was soon opened by Laura. “Oh goodie,” she said. “He listened.”
“What?” asked Buck.
“I told him Mother wanted you two to help us around the house,” Laura replied with a smile.
“You told him?” Buck asked.
Laura nodded. “I need some extra help up here. Usually Mother and I take care of everything, but with Grandfather being ill I’m having trouble keeping the house in proper order. It’s upsetting Father so I had Mother tell him she needed help.
“This morning I told him that Mother wanted you two,” Laura finished, her smile growing even brighter. “I figured that way I could get everything done up here and you would have time to teach me how to talk to Ike.”
Buck simply nodded. “What do we need to do first?” he asked.
Laura moved back and opened the door. “You need to come inside,” she said.
Once the boys were inside, she told them. “Put your hats over there, and then come help me carry these trays upstairs. I need to take food up for Grandfather and Mother.”
They did as they were told. Then they assisted Laura as she completed the many chores that were required to keep the household running smoothly. “Father will be pleased,” she said, as they finished the preparations for the midday meal. “We’re going to have everything ready early.”
They helped serve the meal and then returned to the house to clean everything so it would be ready when they began to cook the evening meal. As they were washing the dishes, Josiah Hopkins stopped by. “I’d have been more than happy to assist you,” he told Laura, smiling.
“Father needs your expertise in the fields,” Laura said, moving so that Buck stood between her and Josiah. “You’d best hurry back if you don’t want to get in trouble.”
Josiah nodded. “Just remember,” he said, “Someday…” He left smiling, and Laura hurried away to the safety of the house.
* What was that all about? * asked Ike.
Buck shrugged. “How should I know?” he answered. “He didn’t say anything to me. In fact, he hasn’t said anything to me in a long time. I wonder why he stopped pestering us.”
Ike just stared at Buck. * You don’t remember almost killing him with the pitchfork? * he asked.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Buck said.
Ike didn’t have a chance to carry the conversation any further because Laura returned. She was carrying a tray with three glasses of lemonade. “Let’s take a break,” she said, “and you can give me my first lesson.”
The three children sat down around the kitchen table. “What would you like to know?” Buck asked glancing out the window to make sure no one was around.
“How do you say our names?” Laura asked.
Buck showed her. She was a quick study, and had no difficulty moving her hands in the correct way.
She asked him to teach her a few more basic signs such as “drink”, “eat,”, “sleep”, and “friend,” before letting the boys return to their cleaning. “I hope we can do this again tomorrow,” she said as they began the preparations for the evening meal.
Buck and Ike simply nodded. “It was nice,” Buck had to admit with Ike nodding his agreement. They quickly finished the preparations for the family’s meal and then headed back to the stable where the wagon would be waiting to take them back to the mission and their own meal.
By the next summer, the boys were of age to leave the mission. They discussed their options and had decided to try their luck elsewhere when Mr. Jamison showed up at the mission and asked to speak with the two of them privately.
“I know that you’re both old enough to leave here, and that you aren’t obligated to work for me this summer at all.” He paused and studied the ground in front of him for a few seconds before continuing. “I was hoping that you would not only work this summer but hire on full time for a while.”
“I was under the impression that you didn’t care too much for us,” Buck said. “You did refer to us as ‘mistakes of nature’ on more than one occasion.”
Mr. Jamison nodded. “That’s just my way of keeping the boys from here and town away from the house. I didn’t want anyone getting any ideas about Laura. I’ve always been pleased with your work, and…” He paused once more.
Buck could tell this was hard for the older man but decided that he wasn’t going to make it any easier by just agreeing to stay here this summer. He waited, as did Ike for Mr. Jamison to continue.
“My wife’s father passed on not to long after you boys returned to school last year,” he finally said. “She took it hard and became ill herself. She never fully recovered, and last month she passed away too. Laura is beside herself. She’s trying to keep the household running, but she’s so upset and missing her mother. I’m afraid she’s going to make herself sick. I can’t lose her too.” He looked up at Buck and then Ike. “She’s mentioned what a big help you two were before. She’s really looking forward to seeing you again this summer. I don’t think I could stand having to tell her you weren’t coming.”
Ike tapped Buck on the shoulder. * We could go for the summer and see how things turn out, * he said. * I’d hate for something to happen to her because we were selfish. *
Buck nodded. “Is it alright if we just promise to work for the summer at first?” he asked.
The older man nodded. “That would be wonderful,” he said. “I can tell her that you’ll be with us for the summer. We’ll find you a place on the ranch to stay so you won’t have to worry about that. She’ll be so happy. Thank you.” He shook both their hands and left.
“Well,” said Buck, “I guess we’d better go tell Sister Ruth about the change in plans. Looks like we’ll be needing those horses she offered us after all.”
“I need you two to go help at the house,” Mr. Jamison told them, frowning.
“Sir?” asked Buck.
“My wife’s father has taken ill,” Mr. Jamison replied. “She needs some extra help at the house, and she asked for you two by name. I couldn’t very well tell her ‘no’ now, could I?”
Buck shook his head.
“Just do what she tells you to do,” Mr. Jamison instructed. “If you finish everything she needs you to do, come down here and help with the stables. You think you can manage that?”
Buck said, “Yes, Sir.”
Ike nodded.
They turned and walked slowly toward the main house. * What do we do now? * Ike asked as they knocked on the door to the kitchen.
“Whatever Mrs. Jamison tells us to do,” replied Buck. “You heard the man. You want to make him upset by not doing what she tells us?”
Ike shook his head.
The door was soon opened by Laura. “Oh goodie,” she said. “He listened.”
“What?” asked Buck.
“I told him Mother wanted you two to help us around the house,” Laura replied with a smile.
“You told him?” Buck asked.
Laura nodded. “I need some extra help up here. Usually Mother and I take care of everything, but with Grandfather being ill I’m having trouble keeping the house in proper order. It’s upsetting Father so I had Mother tell him she needed help.
“This morning I told him that Mother wanted you two,” Laura finished, her smile growing even brighter. “I figured that way I could get everything done up here and you would have time to teach me how to talk to Ike.”
Buck simply nodded. “What do we need to do first?” he asked.
Laura moved back and opened the door. “You need to come inside,” she said.
Once the boys were inside, she told them. “Put your hats over there, and then come help me carry these trays upstairs. I need to take food up for Grandfather and Mother.”
They did as they were told. Then they assisted Laura as she completed the many chores that were required to keep the household running smoothly. “Father will be pleased,” she said, as they finished the preparations for the midday meal. “We’re going to have everything ready early.”
They helped serve the meal and then returned to the house to clean everything so it would be ready when they began to cook the evening meal. As they were washing the dishes, Josiah Hopkins stopped by. “I’d have been more than happy to assist you,” he told Laura, smiling.
“Father needs your expertise in the fields,” Laura said, moving so that Buck stood between her and Josiah. “You’d best hurry back if you don’t want to get in trouble.”
Josiah nodded. “Just remember,” he said, “Someday…” He left smiling, and Laura hurried away to the safety of the house.
* What was that all about? * asked Ike.
Buck shrugged. “How should I know?” he answered. “He didn’t say anything to me. In fact, he hasn’t said anything to me in a long time. I wonder why he stopped pestering us.”
Ike just stared at Buck. * You don’t remember almost killing him with the pitchfork? * he asked.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Buck said.
Ike didn’t have a chance to carry the conversation any further because Laura returned. She was carrying a tray with three glasses of lemonade. “Let’s take a break,” she said, “and you can give me my first lesson.”
The three children sat down around the kitchen table. “What would you like to know?” Buck asked glancing out the window to make sure no one was around.
“How do you say our names?” Laura asked.
Buck showed her. She was a quick study, and had no difficulty moving her hands in the correct way.
She asked him to teach her a few more basic signs such as “drink”, “eat,”, “sleep”, and “friend,” before letting the boys return to their cleaning. “I hope we can do this again tomorrow,” she said as they began the preparations for the evening meal.
Buck and Ike simply nodded. “It was nice,” Buck had to admit with Ike nodding his agreement. They quickly finished the preparations for the family’s meal and then headed back to the stable where the wagon would be waiting to take them back to the mission and their own meal.
By the next summer, the boys were of age to leave the mission. They discussed their options and had decided to try their luck elsewhere when Mr. Jamison showed up at the mission and asked to speak with the two of them privately.
“I know that you’re both old enough to leave here, and that you aren’t obligated to work for me this summer at all.” He paused and studied the ground in front of him for a few seconds before continuing. “I was hoping that you would not only work this summer but hire on full time for a while.”
“I was under the impression that you didn’t care too much for us,” Buck said. “You did refer to us as ‘mistakes of nature’ on more than one occasion.”
Mr. Jamison nodded. “That’s just my way of keeping the boys from here and town away from the house. I didn’t want anyone getting any ideas about Laura. I’ve always been pleased with your work, and…” He paused once more.
Buck could tell this was hard for the older man but decided that he wasn’t going to make it any easier by just agreeing to stay here this summer. He waited, as did Ike for Mr. Jamison to continue.
“My wife’s father passed on not to long after you boys returned to school last year,” he finally said. “She took it hard and became ill herself. She never fully recovered, and last month she passed away too. Laura is beside herself. She’s trying to keep the household running, but she’s so upset and missing her mother. I’m afraid she’s going to make herself sick. I can’t lose her too.” He looked up at Buck and then Ike. “She’s mentioned what a big help you two were before. She’s really looking forward to seeing you again this summer. I don’t think I could stand having to tell her you weren’t coming.”
Ike tapped Buck on the shoulder. * We could go for the summer and see how things turn out, * he said. * I’d hate for something to happen to her because we were selfish. *
Buck nodded. “Is it alright if we just promise to work for the summer at first?” he asked.
The older man nodded. “That would be wonderful,” he said. “I can tell her that you’ll be with us for the summer. We’ll find you a place on the ranch to stay so you won’t have to worry about that. She’ll be so happy. Thank you.” He shook both their hands and left.
“Well,” said Buck, “I guess we’d better go tell Sister Ruth about the change in plans. Looks like we’ll be needing those horses she offered us after all.”
Chapter Seven
The next week as the other boys from the mission were loading onto the wagon Buck and Ike mounted the horses Sister Ruth had given them. “Take care, boys,” she said. “I still don’t trust him; I don’t care how kind he’s being.”
Both boys nodded. “We’ll be careful,” said Buck.
* We promise, * added Ike.
The boys rode alongside the wagon. They didn’t join in the joking and kidding around. They were still trying to figure out what it was exactly they were expected to do once they reached the ranch. Surely Mr. Jamison wasn’t planning on having them spend the entire summer working up at the house with Laura.
* I guess he isn’t going to tell us until we get there, * Ike said.
Buck simply nodded. “I almost hope that he lets us just work in the house. I don’t think I want to work with Josiah Hopkins as my supervisor.”
It was Ike’s turn to nod.
In a short time they were entering the gate to the ranch. As soon as they dismounted they were accosted by Laura Jamison. She threw her arms around Ike’s neck, “I’m so glad you agreed to come back.” She then turned to Buck. “You too,” she said, giving him the same treatment.
The other boys hooted and laughed at them as the wagon went on down to the barn. Josiah Hopkins glared at both of them as he rode past.
Laura took each by the hand and led them into the main house. “I want you to stay up here,” she said. “Father said that for the summer it would be alright for you to sleep in the room Grandfather used. He isn’t sure he wants help sleeping in the main house on a permanent basis, but for now…” she stopped speaking and just stood on the porch holding their hands.
Buck realized that she was silently crying. He managed to free his hand. He moved slowly and pulled her into a hug. “It will be alright,” he said. “Ike and I will stay as long as you need us.”
Ike let go of her other hand and went to gather their things. * Take her inside, * he said as he passed the two of them standing on the stairs. * I don’t think her father appreciates our comforting her in public. *
Buck nodded. “Laura,” he said softly, “let’s go inside and have some lemonade.” He started walking slowly toward the door.
Laura followed along still sobbing. “I miss her so much,” she said.
Buck nodded. “I know,” he whispered. “I remember how I felt when my mother was taken from me. I didn’t know where to turn, who could help me.” He glanced over her shoulder at Ike. “We’ll be here for you,” he repeated. “Both of us have lost family; we understand what you’re going through.”
Laura let him lead her to the drawing room where he sat her on the sofa. “You stay here,” Buck said. “We’ll go put our things away and be back so you can put us to work. I’m sure we’ll need to get busy immediately if we’re going to have a meal ready for these boys when they get here at noon.”
Laura simply nodded and watched them walk away. By the time they returned, Laura had managed to compose herself. “Thank you,” she said to Buck with a weak smile. “I’m sorry for being so emotional.”
* That’s fine, * said Ike. * I remember how lost I felt after my parents died. Buck and I will stay as long as you need us. We can help you past this if you’ll let us. *
Buck translated for Laura and added, “Ike’s right; we’re both here as long as you need us. Now, what do you want us to fix for the workers?”
Laura laughed. “What do you know how to cook?” she asked. “Not much if I remember correctly.”
“True,” replied Buck with a smile, “but we’re really good at following directions.”
* Right, * added Ike. * We didn’t make anyone ill last summer. *
The three of them laughed as Laura began giving instructions about how to fix cornbread and stew.
When they took the meal down to the workers, Josiah Hopkins pulled Buck aside. “I best not see you hugging on her again; I don’t want my future wife spoiled by the likes of you.”
Buck simply looked the man in the eyes and said, “I have a feeling she isn’t as interested in that offer as you seem to think. Take your hands off me so I can do my job. I’d hate to have to put you in your place in front of all the others.” He was rewarded by seeing a flash of fear pass across Josiah’s face as he dropped Buck’s arm.
* What was that all about? * asked Ike.
“Seems Mr. Hopkins has taken a liking to Laura,” Buck explained. “I was just setting him straight. That’s all.”
Ike’s face reflected almost the same fear as Josiah’s had earlier. * You aren’t going to do anything, are you? *
“Like what?” asked Buck. “It’s not like I can fight him or anything; I’m pretty sure that I’d not only be fired, but also disciplined for my lack of respect. You think I’m completely stupid or something?”
Ike grinned. * Not completely, * he signed and then quickly ran to where Laura was busy serving the workers. Buck just shook his head and watched Ike run. As he turned back to preparing the serving pots, he wondered what had caused Ike to show fear before teasing him. He decided to try and remember to ask later.
Both boys nodded. “We’ll be careful,” said Buck.
* We promise, * added Ike.
The boys rode alongside the wagon. They didn’t join in the joking and kidding around. They were still trying to figure out what it was exactly they were expected to do once they reached the ranch. Surely Mr. Jamison wasn’t planning on having them spend the entire summer working up at the house with Laura.
* I guess he isn’t going to tell us until we get there, * Ike said.
Buck simply nodded. “I almost hope that he lets us just work in the house. I don’t think I want to work with Josiah Hopkins as my supervisor.”
It was Ike’s turn to nod.
In a short time they were entering the gate to the ranch. As soon as they dismounted they were accosted by Laura Jamison. She threw her arms around Ike’s neck, “I’m so glad you agreed to come back.” She then turned to Buck. “You too,” she said, giving him the same treatment.
The other boys hooted and laughed at them as the wagon went on down to the barn. Josiah Hopkins glared at both of them as he rode past.
Laura took each by the hand and led them into the main house. “I want you to stay up here,” she said. “Father said that for the summer it would be alright for you to sleep in the room Grandfather used. He isn’t sure he wants help sleeping in the main house on a permanent basis, but for now…” she stopped speaking and just stood on the porch holding their hands.
Buck realized that she was silently crying. He managed to free his hand. He moved slowly and pulled her into a hug. “It will be alright,” he said. “Ike and I will stay as long as you need us.”
Ike let go of her other hand and went to gather their things. * Take her inside, * he said as he passed the two of them standing on the stairs. * I don’t think her father appreciates our comforting her in public. *
Buck nodded. “Laura,” he said softly, “let’s go inside and have some lemonade.” He started walking slowly toward the door.
Laura followed along still sobbing. “I miss her so much,” she said.
Buck nodded. “I know,” he whispered. “I remember how I felt when my mother was taken from me. I didn’t know where to turn, who could help me.” He glanced over her shoulder at Ike. “We’ll be here for you,” he repeated. “Both of us have lost family; we understand what you’re going through.”
Laura let him lead her to the drawing room where he sat her on the sofa. “You stay here,” Buck said. “We’ll go put our things away and be back so you can put us to work. I’m sure we’ll need to get busy immediately if we’re going to have a meal ready for these boys when they get here at noon.”
Laura simply nodded and watched them walk away. By the time they returned, Laura had managed to compose herself. “Thank you,” she said to Buck with a weak smile. “I’m sorry for being so emotional.”
* That’s fine, * said Ike. * I remember how lost I felt after my parents died. Buck and I will stay as long as you need us. We can help you past this if you’ll let us. *
Buck translated for Laura and added, “Ike’s right; we’re both here as long as you need us. Now, what do you want us to fix for the workers?”
Laura laughed. “What do you know how to cook?” she asked. “Not much if I remember correctly.”
“True,” replied Buck with a smile, “but we’re really good at following directions.”
* Right, * added Ike. * We didn’t make anyone ill last summer. *
The three of them laughed as Laura began giving instructions about how to fix cornbread and stew.
When they took the meal down to the workers, Josiah Hopkins pulled Buck aside. “I best not see you hugging on her again; I don’t want my future wife spoiled by the likes of you.”
Buck simply looked the man in the eyes and said, “I have a feeling she isn’t as interested in that offer as you seem to think. Take your hands off me so I can do my job. I’d hate to have to put you in your place in front of all the others.” He was rewarded by seeing a flash of fear pass across Josiah’s face as he dropped Buck’s arm.
* What was that all about? * asked Ike.
“Seems Mr. Hopkins has taken a liking to Laura,” Buck explained. “I was just setting him straight. That’s all.”
Ike’s face reflected almost the same fear as Josiah’s had earlier. * You aren’t going to do anything, are you? *
“Like what?” asked Buck. “It’s not like I can fight him or anything; I’m pretty sure that I’d not only be fired, but also disciplined for my lack of respect. You think I’m completely stupid or something?”
Ike grinned. * Not completely, * he signed and then quickly ran to where Laura was busy serving the workers. Buck just shook his head and watched Ike run. As he turned back to preparing the serving pots, he wondered what had caused Ike to show fear before teasing him. He decided to try and remember to ask later.
Chapter Eight
After the first week, the three young people worked out a schedule of sorts. Since Buck enjoyed getting up early in the morning, Laura taught him how to make, or at least start, the items served for breakfast. After he got everything started, Buck would wake Ike and together they would finish getting the meal ready.
They let Laura rest as long as possible because she had difficulty getting up in the mornings. Once they could coax her out of bed and get her going things were better, but she usually fought waking for such a long time that if they waited they’d be late with the meal.
After a couple of weeks, Laura began to get up and help with breakfast. With each day, her sadness grew less. There were still times when she would think of her mother and become upset, but they grew fewer and fewer as the days went by.
One evening, about a month later, Mr. Jamison sat on the porch with his daughter as the boys finished cleaning the dishes from the evening meal. “I know that I promised to let those two work up here the whole summer,” he said, “but I need at least one of them to start coming to the pasture. That way we can eat the midday meal out there and not lose all that time traveling back and forth.”
Laura nodded. “Does it matter who goes with you?” she asked.
Mr. Jamison shook his head. “I thought I’d let you make that decision.”
“Do you mind if I talk to them? It’s possible one of them would prefer to get away from the house,” she sighed.
“I think that would be an excellent idea,” Mr. Jamison replied. “I would like them to start traveling out with us tomorrow, but I can wait until next week; that’s when we start rounding up the new calves. If we stay out all day, we can get most of them branded in just a few weeks.”
“I’ll go talk to them now,” Laura said. “I’ll be back in just a minute.”
She stood and made her way to where the boys had just finished their task. “I have a request,” she said.
Both boys looked at her and smiled. “As long as it doesn’t involve getting a pot dirty,” Buck said, “we’re all for it.”
Laura laughed. “Father has decided that the workers are needed to stay in the pastures all day. He needs at least one of you to go with them to prepare the midday meal; the other one will stay here to help me get things ready for the evening meal. He doesn’t care which one of you goes and which one stays so I’m going to let you decide.” She paused for a few seconds before adding, “He’d like to start tomorrow, but can wait until next week.”
* I wouldn’t mind going, * said Ike. * I think I would like being out in the pasture; it would give me a chance to spend some time with the animals. I can start tomorrow if it’s alright with you and Buck.*
Buck nodded. “I know you miss getting to be out there working with them. I don’t mind staying here.” He turned to Laura. “Are you sure your father won’t mind that you’ll be spending most of the day alone with me?”
Laura shrugged. “He said he didn’t mind; he shouldn’t have given me the choice if he really cared.” She turned and made her way back to where her father waited.
“Ike will go with you; he’ll start in the morning. You’ll need to tell him what you want him to take with him,” she said. “Will you please do me a favor?”
“Anything,” said Mr. Jamison.
“Let him work with the stock if there’s time. He really enjoys spending time with animals,” Laura said. “He’s been a great sport about having to stay here this whole time, but I know he’d rather be working with the horses or cattle.”
Her father nodded and kissed her forehead. “I’d be happy to let him help if he has time. If I remember correctly, he’s really good at keeping the animals calm while we’re handling them.”
He stood. “I think I’m going to go show Ike what he needs to pack and then turn in. It’s another long day tomorrow. Don’t stay up too late.”
Mr. Jamison when over to where Buck and Ike were sitting enjoying the evening air. “You’ll need to get the wagon ready now if you want to leave with us in the morning,” he said. “You want me to show you what to take?”
* I think I can figure it out, * said Ike.
“I can help,” said Buck. “We’ll start on it this evening. If we don’t get finished, I’ll be sure he gets up early in the morning. Don’t worry; everything will be ready to go when you are.”
Mr. Jamison nodded. “Don’t stay up too late.” He started to walk away but turned back and approached Buck. “I know I don’t have to remind you how I feel about the help and my daughter,” he said.
Buck nodded. “I can honestly tell you that you don’t have to worry about anything happening,” he said. “I know better than to think I’d ever be lucky enough to have a girl as wonderful as Laura; besides, she’s still missing her mother too much to think about starting a relationship with anyone.”
Mr. Jamison nodded. “Just remember that you’re the help,” he said. “I know she has a tendency to be a tad bit friendlier than she should be.” With those words he left.
* Nice to know he appreciates how much you’ve helped her, * Ike said as he playfully punched Buck in the arm.
Buck nodded. “He’s right though. She does treat us more like family than the help; if she does that with everyone she could get herself in trouble.”
* She doesn’t, * replied Ike. * Haven’t you watched her with the other boys? She’s always proper – polite but definitely not friendly. *
Buck nodded. “I hope you’re right,” he said. “I’d hate to see her get hurt because someone misunderstood her actions.” He paused for a bit before continuing, “Is this what it feels like to have a little sister to look after?”
Ike nodded. * Sure is, * he said with a smile. * She drives you crazy with the things she does, but you’d be willing to die for her if need be. * He glanced at Buck. * So, you feel that way about her too? *
Buck smiled and nodded. “I was beginning to wonder if there was something wrong with me. I mean she’s at least a year older than us, but I still want to take care of her. It makes me wonder if this is how Red Bear felt when I was around.”
* Probably, * said Ike. * Now, let’s get this wagon packed so I can get some sleep. *
The next morning Buck saw Ike off after breakfast. “You be careful while you’re out there,” Buck said. “I’m not sure I trust Josiah to leave you alone.”
* I’ll be fine, * Ike insisted. * He won’t dare try anything while we’re out there; Mr. Jamison would discipline him for sure. He’s taking me out there to be sure everyone gets fed. *
“I guess you’re right,” said Buck. “Still, promise me you’ll be careful. I’m not sure what I’d do if something happened to you.”
Ike grinned. * I’ll promise if you do. *
Buck laughed. “I don’t think I’m in any danger from Laura,” he said.
* I wouldn’t be so sure, * Ike said with a wink. * I’ve heard that she thinks you’re rather cute. *
“That’s what she said about you,” Buck said. “She wanted to learn to talk to you; not me.”
* Just keep an eye open, * Ike said. * Josiah sometimes comes back here during the day. I think he’d be more likely to try and get at you here than at me out there. *
Buck shrugged. “He can try,” was all he said. He noticed that a flicker of worry played across Ike’s face. “I’ll be careful,” he said to reassure Ike. “I’ll be extra careful until you get back here.”
* Thanks,* Ike said. * I’m not sure what I’d do if anything happened to you either. * He mounted the wagon and headed out toward the pasture where the other boys were busy rounding up the newborn calves for branding.
Buck watched him go and then returned to the house where Laura was busy washing up the dishes from breakfast. As he walked back to the house, Buck couldn’t shake the feeling that something was going to happen that would change things drastically. He just hoped the change would be for the better.
They let Laura rest as long as possible because she had difficulty getting up in the mornings. Once they could coax her out of bed and get her going things were better, but she usually fought waking for such a long time that if they waited they’d be late with the meal.
After a couple of weeks, Laura began to get up and help with breakfast. With each day, her sadness grew less. There were still times when she would think of her mother and become upset, but they grew fewer and fewer as the days went by.
One evening, about a month later, Mr. Jamison sat on the porch with his daughter as the boys finished cleaning the dishes from the evening meal. “I know that I promised to let those two work up here the whole summer,” he said, “but I need at least one of them to start coming to the pasture. That way we can eat the midday meal out there and not lose all that time traveling back and forth.”
Laura nodded. “Does it matter who goes with you?” she asked.
Mr. Jamison shook his head. “I thought I’d let you make that decision.”
“Do you mind if I talk to them? It’s possible one of them would prefer to get away from the house,” she sighed.
“I think that would be an excellent idea,” Mr. Jamison replied. “I would like them to start traveling out with us tomorrow, but I can wait until next week; that’s when we start rounding up the new calves. If we stay out all day, we can get most of them branded in just a few weeks.”
“I’ll go talk to them now,” Laura said. “I’ll be back in just a minute.”
She stood and made her way to where the boys had just finished their task. “I have a request,” she said.
Both boys looked at her and smiled. “As long as it doesn’t involve getting a pot dirty,” Buck said, “we’re all for it.”
Laura laughed. “Father has decided that the workers are needed to stay in the pastures all day. He needs at least one of you to go with them to prepare the midday meal; the other one will stay here to help me get things ready for the evening meal. He doesn’t care which one of you goes and which one stays so I’m going to let you decide.” She paused for a few seconds before adding, “He’d like to start tomorrow, but can wait until next week.”
* I wouldn’t mind going, * said Ike. * I think I would like being out in the pasture; it would give me a chance to spend some time with the animals. I can start tomorrow if it’s alright with you and Buck.*
Buck nodded. “I know you miss getting to be out there working with them. I don’t mind staying here.” He turned to Laura. “Are you sure your father won’t mind that you’ll be spending most of the day alone with me?”
Laura shrugged. “He said he didn’t mind; he shouldn’t have given me the choice if he really cared.” She turned and made her way back to where her father waited.
“Ike will go with you; he’ll start in the morning. You’ll need to tell him what you want him to take with him,” she said. “Will you please do me a favor?”
“Anything,” said Mr. Jamison.
“Let him work with the stock if there’s time. He really enjoys spending time with animals,” Laura said. “He’s been a great sport about having to stay here this whole time, but I know he’d rather be working with the horses or cattle.”
Her father nodded and kissed her forehead. “I’d be happy to let him help if he has time. If I remember correctly, he’s really good at keeping the animals calm while we’re handling them.”
He stood. “I think I’m going to go show Ike what he needs to pack and then turn in. It’s another long day tomorrow. Don’t stay up too late.”
Mr. Jamison when over to where Buck and Ike were sitting enjoying the evening air. “You’ll need to get the wagon ready now if you want to leave with us in the morning,” he said. “You want me to show you what to take?”
* I think I can figure it out, * said Ike.
“I can help,” said Buck. “We’ll start on it this evening. If we don’t get finished, I’ll be sure he gets up early in the morning. Don’t worry; everything will be ready to go when you are.”
Mr. Jamison nodded. “Don’t stay up too late.” He started to walk away but turned back and approached Buck. “I know I don’t have to remind you how I feel about the help and my daughter,” he said.
Buck nodded. “I can honestly tell you that you don’t have to worry about anything happening,” he said. “I know better than to think I’d ever be lucky enough to have a girl as wonderful as Laura; besides, she’s still missing her mother too much to think about starting a relationship with anyone.”
Mr. Jamison nodded. “Just remember that you’re the help,” he said. “I know she has a tendency to be a tad bit friendlier than she should be.” With those words he left.
* Nice to know he appreciates how much you’ve helped her, * Ike said as he playfully punched Buck in the arm.
Buck nodded. “He’s right though. She does treat us more like family than the help; if she does that with everyone she could get herself in trouble.”
* She doesn’t, * replied Ike. * Haven’t you watched her with the other boys? She’s always proper – polite but definitely not friendly. *
Buck nodded. “I hope you’re right,” he said. “I’d hate to see her get hurt because someone misunderstood her actions.” He paused for a bit before continuing, “Is this what it feels like to have a little sister to look after?”
Ike nodded. * Sure is, * he said with a smile. * She drives you crazy with the things she does, but you’d be willing to die for her if need be. * He glanced at Buck. * So, you feel that way about her too? *
Buck smiled and nodded. “I was beginning to wonder if there was something wrong with me. I mean she’s at least a year older than us, but I still want to take care of her. It makes me wonder if this is how Red Bear felt when I was around.”
* Probably, * said Ike. * Now, let’s get this wagon packed so I can get some sleep. *
The next morning Buck saw Ike off after breakfast. “You be careful while you’re out there,” Buck said. “I’m not sure I trust Josiah to leave you alone.”
* I’ll be fine, * Ike insisted. * He won’t dare try anything while we’re out there; Mr. Jamison would discipline him for sure. He’s taking me out there to be sure everyone gets fed. *
“I guess you’re right,” said Buck. “Still, promise me you’ll be careful. I’m not sure what I’d do if something happened to you.”
Ike grinned. * I’ll promise if you do. *
Buck laughed. “I don’t think I’m in any danger from Laura,” he said.
* I wouldn’t be so sure, * Ike said with a wink. * I’ve heard that she thinks you’re rather cute. *
“That’s what she said about you,” Buck said. “She wanted to learn to talk to you; not me.”
* Just keep an eye open, * Ike said. * Josiah sometimes comes back here during the day. I think he’d be more likely to try and get at you here than at me out there. *
Buck shrugged. “He can try,” was all he said. He noticed that a flicker of worry played across Ike’s face. “I’ll be careful,” he said to reassure Ike. “I’ll be extra careful until you get back here.”
* Thanks,* Ike said. * I’m not sure what I’d do if anything happened to you either. * He mounted the wagon and headed out toward the pasture where the other boys were busy rounding up the newborn calves for branding.
Buck watched him go and then returned to the house where Laura was busy washing up the dishes from breakfast. As he walked back to the house, Buck couldn’t shake the feeling that something was going to happen that would change things drastically. He just hoped the change would be for the better.
Chapter Nine
The rest of that month, Ike went each day with the other workers. At the end of that time, all the cattle were rounded up to the ranch to get ready to take to market. It was decided that Ike and Buck would both go along on the trip. In order for Laura to not be left alone, Mr. Jamison hired a housekeeper from town.
Mrs. Jacobs was a kindly spinster. “I would love to spend some time with your charming daughter while the men-folk are on the trail. I could use come company myself since my sister and her husband moved on west.”
Ike and Buck moved their belongings to the barn. There was a small room behind the tack room where they could stay. The bunk house was full of the regular workers, and neither of them was particularly eager to bunk with Josiah Hopkins. As they moved into their new quarters Ike said, * I was wondering how long it would take for him to get us out of the main house. I mean, why didn’t he just go hire someone to come assist Laura in the first place? *
“He did,” said Buck. “He hired us; remember?”
Ike threw his pillow at Buck. * You know what I mean, * he said. * Why didn’t he go hire a housekeeper once his wife died? For that matter, why didn’t he go hire one when his father-in-law took ill?*
Buck shrugged. “Too cheap,” he suggested.
*I don’t think so, * said Ike as he sat on his new bed. * I think he was up to no good and he didn’t want to get caught. Then, when his wife died, Laura asked him to get us for who knows what reason. I still haven’t figured out why – out of all the boys who’ve come here to work – she’s taken such an interest in the two of us. *
Buck just looked at Ike for a few seconds and then returned to putting away his few belongings. “What do you mean ‘up to no good’?” he asked.
* I think he killed his father-in-law, * stated Ike. * He never did like the man, and he definitely wanted the money; he didn’t try to hide that fact from anybody. *
Buck nodded. “I forgot about that,” he said. “I guess you could be right, but there’s nothing we could do about it now.” He paused for a few seconds before adding, “I’ve often wondered myself what made Laura even notice us; it’s not like either of us did anything outstanding to draw attention to ourselves.”
Ike agreed. * Maybe we should ask her sometime just to satisfy our curiosity. *
They decided to ask her that evening since it would be the last time they were allowed to help in the kitchen. Laura laughed when they asked her. “What made me notice you?” she asked. “You can’t be serious.”
“We are,” replied Buck at bit confused. “We can’t think of anything we did that made us more noticeable than any of the other boys. We certainly didn’t work at getting your attention as much as some of them did – still do.”
Laura smiled. “That’s part of why I noticed. It seems all the boys who come here to work have dreams of winning the heart of the owner’s daughter. They all show off in some way to try and attract my attention; neither of you did anything. In fact, if I recall correctly, you both worked as hard at not being noticed as everyone else did at being noticed.”
Ike nodded. * We didn’t want to get in trouble. *
Buck agreed, “We decided the best thing to do was to follow directions and try not to be seen.”
Laura sighed. “I guess I can understand why you would want to do that; I’ve heard a little about how things were at the mission.” She smiled slightly before adding, “The other thing that caught my attention was the way Ike talked to you. I wanted to learn how to do that.”
“Why?” asked Buck.
“I plan on trying to move farther west when I’m old enough,” she explained. “I figured that being able to communicate with the Indians would prove itself helpful.” Her smile returned as she envisioned the life she wished to live.
“Most people would just as soon shoot all the Indians,” Buck said at bit surprised that Laura had even thought about what would be helpful on a move west. Who would want to leave such a nice place?
“I’m not most people,” Laura said.
* That’s true, * said Ike with a grin. * You’re definitely one of a kind.*
The three of them had a good chuckle and then turned their attention back to preparing the evening meal. “I’m sorry that you won’t be working with me anymore,” Laura said as they carried the dishes to the serving line. “But I’m glad to know that you’ll both be staying on after the summer is over. Once the drive is finished things slow down quite a bit; we can start up our signing lessons again then. I really need to learn a lot more if I’m ever going to be able to get away from here.”
The next few days were spent getting things ready for the cattle drive. Ike and Buck were in charge of the chuck wagon. Laura helped them pack everything and hugged them both as they prepared to leave. “Please be careful,” she said. “I hate for something to happen to either of you on the trail.”
* We’ll be fine, * Ike assured her. * No one else wants to cook, but everyone wants to eat.*
Laura laughed. “You’re probably right,” she said. “I wouldn’t want your job if I could be doing anything else on the ride. Still,” she glanced over at her father and Josiah, “promise me you’ll be careful. I know how accidents can happen. I wouldn’t want one to happen to either of you.”
“We’ll be careful,” promised Buck.
The trip on the trail wasn’t completely uneventful. Ike was sure that Josiah had something to do with a couple of the happenings. Like the time the wagon almost lost a wheel. Both he and Buck could have been seriously injured if one of the other boys hadn’t mentioned something about it not looking right when they started off.
“It doesn’t look broken,” Buck explained to Mr. Jamison as the two of them examined the wheel. “It appears to have been loosened on purpose. Any idea who would want to ruin the food supply?” He glanced past Mr. Jamison to where Josiah Hopkins stood staring at them.
Mr. Jamison shook his head. “It would be a pretty stupid way to try and get back at either of you for something you’ve done,” he said a bit louder than was necessary. “It would end up making us have to return to the ranch, and that would make me very angry.” He looked past Buck to include Ike in his gaze. “You two haven’t made anyone mad, have you?”
Ike shrugged. * I don’t think so, * he said. * No one’s complained about the food, and we haven’t done much of anything else so far on the trip. *
Buck nodded his agreement. “Do you think someone’s upset because we’re not having to take our turn doing some of the other work?”
Mr. Jamison shrugged. “Still a stupid way to get your attention.” He paused. “I’ll talk to the others and see what they say. It’s possible one or both of you will need to start pulling some other duties.”
The two boys nodded and returned to fixing the wagon. They watched the cattle and drivers leave. * You know as well as I do who it is that messed up this wheel, * Ike said once the others were out of sight.
Buck nodded. “But we can’t say anything without proof. Besides, I think Mr. Jamison knows too. He made it pretty clear that using the wagon is out. Josiah is going to have to come up with some other way to hurt us. I’m not too worried because, for some reason, I don’t think he has it in him to face us openly.”
* He’s still too scared by what you did before, * Ike agreed. * He’ll definitely try something sneaky if he tries anything again. *
“What do you mean, what I did before? I haven’t even spoken to the man since the first week we started working here.”
* You really don’t remember what happened at the mission, do you? * Ike asked.
“What happened at the mission when?” asked Buck. “There were a lot of things that happened at the mission.”
* The night Josiah attacked me in the barn, * Ike replied.
Buck thought for a few minutes. “You mean that time I scared him off with the pitchfork?” Buck asked. “Why would that still scare him?”
* You didn’t see you, * said Ike. * I was scared of you, and you weren’t threatening me.*
“I didn’t threaten him; I just made it very clear that he was to leave you alone,” Buck said with a shrug.
Ike just grinned. * If you say so, but I still think you scare him.*
“Maybe I should go have a few words with him after we finish this evening,” said Buck with a grin of his own.
* I’m not sure, * said Ike. * It might just make him madder.*
“I was just kidding,” said Buck, as he quickly finished tightening the wheel back onto the wagon. “We’d best be going if we’re going to catch up and prepare a meal before dark.”
Ike nodded and the two were soon on their way.
Mrs. Jacobs was a kindly spinster. “I would love to spend some time with your charming daughter while the men-folk are on the trail. I could use come company myself since my sister and her husband moved on west.”
Ike and Buck moved their belongings to the barn. There was a small room behind the tack room where they could stay. The bunk house was full of the regular workers, and neither of them was particularly eager to bunk with Josiah Hopkins. As they moved into their new quarters Ike said, * I was wondering how long it would take for him to get us out of the main house. I mean, why didn’t he just go hire someone to come assist Laura in the first place? *
“He did,” said Buck. “He hired us; remember?”
Ike threw his pillow at Buck. * You know what I mean, * he said. * Why didn’t he go hire a housekeeper once his wife died? For that matter, why didn’t he go hire one when his father-in-law took ill?*
Buck shrugged. “Too cheap,” he suggested.
*I don’t think so, * said Ike as he sat on his new bed. * I think he was up to no good and he didn’t want to get caught. Then, when his wife died, Laura asked him to get us for who knows what reason. I still haven’t figured out why – out of all the boys who’ve come here to work – she’s taken such an interest in the two of us. *
Buck just looked at Ike for a few seconds and then returned to putting away his few belongings. “What do you mean ‘up to no good’?” he asked.
* I think he killed his father-in-law, * stated Ike. * He never did like the man, and he definitely wanted the money; he didn’t try to hide that fact from anybody. *
Buck nodded. “I forgot about that,” he said. “I guess you could be right, but there’s nothing we could do about it now.” He paused for a few seconds before adding, “I’ve often wondered myself what made Laura even notice us; it’s not like either of us did anything outstanding to draw attention to ourselves.”
Ike agreed. * Maybe we should ask her sometime just to satisfy our curiosity. *
They decided to ask her that evening since it would be the last time they were allowed to help in the kitchen. Laura laughed when they asked her. “What made me notice you?” she asked. “You can’t be serious.”
“We are,” replied Buck at bit confused. “We can’t think of anything we did that made us more noticeable than any of the other boys. We certainly didn’t work at getting your attention as much as some of them did – still do.”
Laura smiled. “That’s part of why I noticed. It seems all the boys who come here to work have dreams of winning the heart of the owner’s daughter. They all show off in some way to try and attract my attention; neither of you did anything. In fact, if I recall correctly, you both worked as hard at not being noticed as everyone else did at being noticed.”
Ike nodded. * We didn’t want to get in trouble. *
Buck agreed, “We decided the best thing to do was to follow directions and try not to be seen.”
Laura sighed. “I guess I can understand why you would want to do that; I’ve heard a little about how things were at the mission.” She smiled slightly before adding, “The other thing that caught my attention was the way Ike talked to you. I wanted to learn how to do that.”
“Why?” asked Buck.
“I plan on trying to move farther west when I’m old enough,” she explained. “I figured that being able to communicate with the Indians would prove itself helpful.” Her smile returned as she envisioned the life she wished to live.
“Most people would just as soon shoot all the Indians,” Buck said at bit surprised that Laura had even thought about what would be helpful on a move west. Who would want to leave such a nice place?
“I’m not most people,” Laura said.
* That’s true, * said Ike with a grin. * You’re definitely one of a kind.*
The three of them had a good chuckle and then turned their attention back to preparing the evening meal. “I’m sorry that you won’t be working with me anymore,” Laura said as they carried the dishes to the serving line. “But I’m glad to know that you’ll both be staying on after the summer is over. Once the drive is finished things slow down quite a bit; we can start up our signing lessons again then. I really need to learn a lot more if I’m ever going to be able to get away from here.”
The next few days were spent getting things ready for the cattle drive. Ike and Buck were in charge of the chuck wagon. Laura helped them pack everything and hugged them both as they prepared to leave. “Please be careful,” she said. “I hate for something to happen to either of you on the trail.”
* We’ll be fine, * Ike assured her. * No one else wants to cook, but everyone wants to eat.*
Laura laughed. “You’re probably right,” she said. “I wouldn’t want your job if I could be doing anything else on the ride. Still,” she glanced over at her father and Josiah, “promise me you’ll be careful. I know how accidents can happen. I wouldn’t want one to happen to either of you.”
“We’ll be careful,” promised Buck.
The trip on the trail wasn’t completely uneventful. Ike was sure that Josiah had something to do with a couple of the happenings. Like the time the wagon almost lost a wheel. Both he and Buck could have been seriously injured if one of the other boys hadn’t mentioned something about it not looking right when they started off.
“It doesn’t look broken,” Buck explained to Mr. Jamison as the two of them examined the wheel. “It appears to have been loosened on purpose. Any idea who would want to ruin the food supply?” He glanced past Mr. Jamison to where Josiah Hopkins stood staring at them.
Mr. Jamison shook his head. “It would be a pretty stupid way to try and get back at either of you for something you’ve done,” he said a bit louder than was necessary. “It would end up making us have to return to the ranch, and that would make me very angry.” He looked past Buck to include Ike in his gaze. “You two haven’t made anyone mad, have you?”
Ike shrugged. * I don’t think so, * he said. * No one’s complained about the food, and we haven’t done much of anything else so far on the trip. *
Buck nodded his agreement. “Do you think someone’s upset because we’re not having to take our turn doing some of the other work?”
Mr. Jamison shrugged. “Still a stupid way to get your attention.” He paused. “I’ll talk to the others and see what they say. It’s possible one or both of you will need to start pulling some other duties.”
The two boys nodded and returned to fixing the wagon. They watched the cattle and drivers leave. * You know as well as I do who it is that messed up this wheel, * Ike said once the others were out of sight.
Buck nodded. “But we can’t say anything without proof. Besides, I think Mr. Jamison knows too. He made it pretty clear that using the wagon is out. Josiah is going to have to come up with some other way to hurt us. I’m not too worried because, for some reason, I don’t think he has it in him to face us openly.”
* He’s still too scared by what you did before, * Ike agreed. * He’ll definitely try something sneaky if he tries anything again. *
“What do you mean, what I did before? I haven’t even spoken to the man since the first week we started working here.”
* You really don’t remember what happened at the mission, do you? * Ike asked.
“What happened at the mission when?” asked Buck. “There were a lot of things that happened at the mission.”
* The night Josiah attacked me in the barn, * Ike replied.
Buck thought for a few minutes. “You mean that time I scared him off with the pitchfork?” Buck asked. “Why would that still scare him?”
* You didn’t see you, * said Ike. * I was scared of you, and you weren’t threatening me.*
“I didn’t threaten him; I just made it very clear that he was to leave you alone,” Buck said with a shrug.
Ike just grinned. * If you say so, but I still think you scare him.*
“Maybe I should go have a few words with him after we finish this evening,” said Buck with a grin of his own.
* I’m not sure, * said Ike. * It might just make him madder.*
“I was just kidding,” said Buck, as he quickly finished tightening the wheel back onto the wagon. “We’d best be going if we’re going to catch up and prepare a meal before dark.”
Ike nodded and the two were soon on their way.
Chapter Ten
The rest of the trip went smoothly. The boys were allowed to take turns helping with guard duty after the evening meals. Curiously, they were never assigned to watch at the same time as Josiah or any of his close friends, and whenever one of them was on duty; Mr. Jamison would stay by the wagon visiting.
The day they returned to the ranch it was announced that the next evening there was going to be a party for the whole town to celebrate the success of the drive. Mr. Jamison was sparing no expense. All the boys from the mission who had worked the summer before were invited as well as the nuns who looked after them.
Mr. Jamison called the workers together. “I want everyone at this celebration,” he said. “This it the most successful drive we’ve ever had, and I owe it to all of you. No one will be excused from coming out and celebrating.”
Laura tried to beg off, but her father insisted, “It won’t be a celebration without you there. Please, come at least for a few minutes. I’m sure you’ll enjoy yourself.”
She sighed and went to prepare for the celebration. Mr. Jamison went to find Buck and Ike. He found them sitting in their room playing a quiet game of cards. “Why aren’t you getting ready for the party?” he asked.
“I wasn’t sure you wanted us there,” Buck replied after checking with Ike.
“Of course I want you there,” Mr. Jamison said. “I said I wanted EVERYONE there and I meant it. Besides, Laura will be very disappointed if you don’t come. I expect the two of you to be over at the house in about an hour to escort her.”
The boys nodded and began to prepare for the party. “This should be a really fun evening,” Buck said with a frown. “I always enjoy sitting around watching other people enjoy themselves.”
Ike nodded. * At least Laura will be there. She’ll talk to us. *
Buck sighed as he continued to get dressed. “I’m sure she’ll be as thrilled as we are to be there. I’ve never really pictured her as a party person.”
Ike agreed. * Let’s go over and get her. Maybe she’ll give us a reason to leave early. *
The three of them soon found themselves sitting in the back corner of the dance hall. None of them felt like dancing, but Mr. Jamison had insisted they stay at least until the children from the mission left.
As he studied the room, Buck said to Laura, “It’s too bad Sister Ruth wasn’t able to come; you would really like her.”
Ike agreed. * She’s a very nice person. You should go to the mission and meet her if you get a chance. *
Laura promised that when she had an opportunity, she’d go visit the mission and try to meet Sister Ruth. “I’m sure she is a wonderful lady,” she said. “She is partially responsible for the way the two of you turned out.”
They talked for a few more minutes. *I’m thirsty, * Ike said. *Can I get some punch for anyone else? *
“I’d like some,” said Laura, “if it’s not too much trouble.”
* No trouble at all, * Ike said. He turned to Buck. * What about you? *
“That would be great,” said Buck. “Do you need me to go with you?”
* I think I can handle three cups of punch, * said Ike. *If not, I’ll just bring two and you can go get your own once I get back.* He laughed as he left Laura and Buck sitting in the corner watching the partiers. Ike soon returned with three cups of punch and they sat quietly enjoying the refreshment as well as each other’s company.
As the evening sky began to darken, the nuns gathered up the children from the mission and loaded them into the wagons for the return trip. After they left, the party became a bit more festive because Mr. Jamison allowed his men to bring out the whiskey they’d bought for the occasion.
Laura had searched out her father to get permission to go home when the nuns had gathered up the children. “Just stay a bit longer,” he said. “Why don’t you try finding someone to dance with instead of just sitting in the corner hiding? I’ve had lots of fellows asking about you, but when I’ve shown them where you were sitting they went to find someone else.”
“I don’t want to dance,” Laura said. “I just want to go home.”
“You always enjoyed the parties before,” Mr. Jamison said softly. “What’s different…” he stopped speaking when he saw the smile vanish from her face. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t think you were still upset. I mean you’ve been so much happier recently.”
Laura just turned and went back to the corner. “What’s wrong,” asked Buck as soon as he saw her face.
“I can’t believe he doesn’t miss her more,” Laura said as she wiped away the tears that fell down her cheeks. “It’s like he never really loved her. He’s almost happier since she died. I can’t wait until I’m old enough to leave this dreadful place.”
When she could no longer control the tears, Buck took her in his arms and hugged her close. “It’s alright to still miss her,” he said. “There are days when I’d give anything for a simple conversation with my mother; she always made things better.”
Ike sat on the other side of Laura. He placed his hand on her back to let her know he was there. When she looked up at him, he told her, * Buck’s right. You’ll never stop missing her completely. The pain won’t stay as bad, but there are always going to be times when you wish she was still here.* He paused a bit. *It’s been over five years since my family was taken from me, and there are times when I still wake up expecting to see them. *
Laura smiled weakly as she wiped the tears from her face. “I’m so glad the two of you are here,” she said. “I don’t know how I’d have survived without you.”
The boys smiled back. Soon they were once more sitting quietly watching the dancers. * I’m getting more punch, * Ike said. *Anyone else want some more? *
“I could use some,” replied Laura
Buck shook her head. “I’m fine for now,” he said. “I just want to stay hidden over here until we can go home. I keep getting the feeling that something is going to happen that we’d rather not be here to witness.”
Ike quickly refilled their drinks. As he was making his way back to the corner, he saw Josiah Hopkins walking that direction. He wished he could holler at Laura and Buck to watch out but decided it really didn’t matter – they’d never have heard him over the music anyway. He moved faster in order to get there.
Just before Ike reached them, Josiah arrived. Buck stepped up to stop him from approaching Laura, but Josiah just pushed him to the ground and grabbed her by the arm. “Let’s dance,” he snarled.
“I’d rather not,” replied Laura trying to free her arm.
“I didn’t ask you girl,” Josiah snapped. “I told you we were going to go dance. You’d best get used to taking orders from me; it’s going to be a common occurrence once we’re married.”
“I’m not marrying you,” Laura said as she pulled her arm free and slapped him.
“Yes, you are,” he said once more taking hold of her arms. This time he twisted them just enough to cause her some pain. “Your daddy promised that if I did a good job running this drive I got to keep you as my prize. Now come on.” He once more started to pull her onto the dance floor.
Buck pulled himself up off the floor. His right hand closed around the punch glass he’d been holding and squeezed. He never felt the glass cut into his hand as he glared at Josiah. In three steps he was beside them, knife drawn. “Let go of her this instant,” he said coolly with the knife pointed at Josiah’s throat. “I’ll have no trouble cutting you if you don’t.”
Drunk as he was, Josiah realized that he was in trouble. He simply dropped Laura’s arm and took a step back. Buck placed his free hand around Laura and pulled her behind him. “Don’t you ever touch her again,” Buck said. He started to back up taking Laura with him.
A hush fell over the party as the people around them parted. Mr. Jamison saw Buck holding Laura at knifepoint and ran across the room to see what was going on. When he got there, Buck was returning the knife to its sheath. “What do you mean pulling a knife…” he didn’t get to finish because Laura cut him off.
“He was saving me from the awful Mr. Hopkins,” she said once more starting to cry. “Why don’t you go yell at him if you want to raise your voice at someone? Better yet, go get your whip and teach him some proper manners; he certainly doesn’t have any now.” She turned her back on her father, took Buck’s hand and led him back to the corner where Ike stood waiting.
When they got back, Ike pointed to Buck’s hand. *What happened to you?* he asked.
“What do you mean?” Buck said.
* You’re bleeding, * Ike replied as he pointed to Buck’s hand once more.
Buck looked down at his right hand. “I’m not sure,” he said. “I must have broken the glass when I fell.” He looked around for something to wrap his hand with.
Laura took the hankie she kept in her dress sleeve. “Here,” she said, “use this.” She carefully tied it around Buck’s hand. Then she leaned over and gently kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you.”
“For what?” asked Buck. “
“Saving me,” she said.
“He had no right to treat you that way,” Buck replied. “He’s lucky there were so many people around.” His eyes momentarily glazed over as he thought about what he’d like to do to Josiah Hopkins; about what would have been done to him back in the village for such behavior.
Ike slapped him on the shoulder and that brought him out of the trance. *Why don’t we walk Laura home, and then go tend that hand better? * he suggested. * I seriously doubt that Mr. Jamison will tell her she has to stay any longer after what just happened. *
The day they returned to the ranch it was announced that the next evening there was going to be a party for the whole town to celebrate the success of the drive. Mr. Jamison was sparing no expense. All the boys from the mission who had worked the summer before were invited as well as the nuns who looked after them.
Mr. Jamison called the workers together. “I want everyone at this celebration,” he said. “This it the most successful drive we’ve ever had, and I owe it to all of you. No one will be excused from coming out and celebrating.”
Laura tried to beg off, but her father insisted, “It won’t be a celebration without you there. Please, come at least for a few minutes. I’m sure you’ll enjoy yourself.”
She sighed and went to prepare for the celebration. Mr. Jamison went to find Buck and Ike. He found them sitting in their room playing a quiet game of cards. “Why aren’t you getting ready for the party?” he asked.
“I wasn’t sure you wanted us there,” Buck replied after checking with Ike.
“Of course I want you there,” Mr. Jamison said. “I said I wanted EVERYONE there and I meant it. Besides, Laura will be very disappointed if you don’t come. I expect the two of you to be over at the house in about an hour to escort her.”
The boys nodded and began to prepare for the party. “This should be a really fun evening,” Buck said with a frown. “I always enjoy sitting around watching other people enjoy themselves.”
Ike nodded. * At least Laura will be there. She’ll talk to us. *
Buck sighed as he continued to get dressed. “I’m sure she’ll be as thrilled as we are to be there. I’ve never really pictured her as a party person.”
Ike agreed. * Let’s go over and get her. Maybe she’ll give us a reason to leave early. *
The three of them soon found themselves sitting in the back corner of the dance hall. None of them felt like dancing, but Mr. Jamison had insisted they stay at least until the children from the mission left.
As he studied the room, Buck said to Laura, “It’s too bad Sister Ruth wasn’t able to come; you would really like her.”
Ike agreed. * She’s a very nice person. You should go to the mission and meet her if you get a chance. *
Laura promised that when she had an opportunity, she’d go visit the mission and try to meet Sister Ruth. “I’m sure she is a wonderful lady,” she said. “She is partially responsible for the way the two of you turned out.”
They talked for a few more minutes. *I’m thirsty, * Ike said. *Can I get some punch for anyone else? *
“I’d like some,” said Laura, “if it’s not too much trouble.”
* No trouble at all, * Ike said. He turned to Buck. * What about you? *
“That would be great,” said Buck. “Do you need me to go with you?”
* I think I can handle three cups of punch, * said Ike. *If not, I’ll just bring two and you can go get your own once I get back.* He laughed as he left Laura and Buck sitting in the corner watching the partiers. Ike soon returned with three cups of punch and they sat quietly enjoying the refreshment as well as each other’s company.
As the evening sky began to darken, the nuns gathered up the children from the mission and loaded them into the wagons for the return trip. After they left, the party became a bit more festive because Mr. Jamison allowed his men to bring out the whiskey they’d bought for the occasion.
Laura had searched out her father to get permission to go home when the nuns had gathered up the children. “Just stay a bit longer,” he said. “Why don’t you try finding someone to dance with instead of just sitting in the corner hiding? I’ve had lots of fellows asking about you, but when I’ve shown them where you were sitting they went to find someone else.”
“I don’t want to dance,” Laura said. “I just want to go home.”
“You always enjoyed the parties before,” Mr. Jamison said softly. “What’s different…” he stopped speaking when he saw the smile vanish from her face. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t think you were still upset. I mean you’ve been so much happier recently.”
Laura just turned and went back to the corner. “What’s wrong,” asked Buck as soon as he saw her face.
“I can’t believe he doesn’t miss her more,” Laura said as she wiped away the tears that fell down her cheeks. “It’s like he never really loved her. He’s almost happier since she died. I can’t wait until I’m old enough to leave this dreadful place.”
When she could no longer control the tears, Buck took her in his arms and hugged her close. “It’s alright to still miss her,” he said. “There are days when I’d give anything for a simple conversation with my mother; she always made things better.”
Ike sat on the other side of Laura. He placed his hand on her back to let her know he was there. When she looked up at him, he told her, * Buck’s right. You’ll never stop missing her completely. The pain won’t stay as bad, but there are always going to be times when you wish she was still here.* He paused a bit. *It’s been over five years since my family was taken from me, and there are times when I still wake up expecting to see them. *
Laura smiled weakly as she wiped the tears from her face. “I’m so glad the two of you are here,” she said. “I don’t know how I’d have survived without you.”
The boys smiled back. Soon they were once more sitting quietly watching the dancers. * I’m getting more punch, * Ike said. *Anyone else want some more? *
“I could use some,” replied Laura
Buck shook her head. “I’m fine for now,” he said. “I just want to stay hidden over here until we can go home. I keep getting the feeling that something is going to happen that we’d rather not be here to witness.”
Ike quickly refilled their drinks. As he was making his way back to the corner, he saw Josiah Hopkins walking that direction. He wished he could holler at Laura and Buck to watch out but decided it really didn’t matter – they’d never have heard him over the music anyway. He moved faster in order to get there.
Just before Ike reached them, Josiah arrived. Buck stepped up to stop him from approaching Laura, but Josiah just pushed him to the ground and grabbed her by the arm. “Let’s dance,” he snarled.
“I’d rather not,” replied Laura trying to free her arm.
“I didn’t ask you girl,” Josiah snapped. “I told you we were going to go dance. You’d best get used to taking orders from me; it’s going to be a common occurrence once we’re married.”
“I’m not marrying you,” Laura said as she pulled her arm free and slapped him.
“Yes, you are,” he said once more taking hold of her arms. This time he twisted them just enough to cause her some pain. “Your daddy promised that if I did a good job running this drive I got to keep you as my prize. Now come on.” He once more started to pull her onto the dance floor.
Buck pulled himself up off the floor. His right hand closed around the punch glass he’d been holding and squeezed. He never felt the glass cut into his hand as he glared at Josiah. In three steps he was beside them, knife drawn. “Let go of her this instant,” he said coolly with the knife pointed at Josiah’s throat. “I’ll have no trouble cutting you if you don’t.”
Drunk as he was, Josiah realized that he was in trouble. He simply dropped Laura’s arm and took a step back. Buck placed his free hand around Laura and pulled her behind him. “Don’t you ever touch her again,” Buck said. He started to back up taking Laura with him.
A hush fell over the party as the people around them parted. Mr. Jamison saw Buck holding Laura at knifepoint and ran across the room to see what was going on. When he got there, Buck was returning the knife to its sheath. “What do you mean pulling a knife…” he didn’t get to finish because Laura cut him off.
“He was saving me from the awful Mr. Hopkins,” she said once more starting to cry. “Why don’t you go yell at him if you want to raise your voice at someone? Better yet, go get your whip and teach him some proper manners; he certainly doesn’t have any now.” She turned her back on her father, took Buck’s hand and led him back to the corner where Ike stood waiting.
When they got back, Ike pointed to Buck’s hand. *What happened to you?* he asked.
“What do you mean?” Buck said.
* You’re bleeding, * Ike replied as he pointed to Buck’s hand once more.
Buck looked down at his right hand. “I’m not sure,” he said. “I must have broken the glass when I fell.” He looked around for something to wrap his hand with.
Laura took the hankie she kept in her dress sleeve. “Here,” she said, “use this.” She carefully tied it around Buck’s hand. Then she leaned over and gently kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you.”
“For what?” asked Buck. “
“Saving me,” she said.
“He had no right to treat you that way,” Buck replied. “He’s lucky there were so many people around.” His eyes momentarily glazed over as he thought about what he’d like to do to Josiah Hopkins; about what would have been done to him back in the village for such behavior.
Ike slapped him on the shoulder and that brought him out of the trance. *Why don’t we walk Laura home, and then go tend that hand better? * he suggested. * I seriously doubt that Mr. Jamison will tell her she has to stay any longer after what just happened. *
Chapter Eleven
The three of them were soon on their way back to the BarJ. “Thank you for volunteering to see me home,” Laura said. “You didn’t need to do that; I could have made the trip home on my own.”
* We were told to be your escort, * said Ike. * That means we had to see you home. Personally, I wish we could have left an hour or so earlier. *
“Me too,” said Laura. She turned to Buck. “When we get back to the house, you be sure and let me look at that hand.”
“It will be fine,” Buck said. “I have some medicine in my room that I can put one it.”
“You sure?” Laura asked. “I’d hate for it to get infected.”
“I’m sure,” replied Buck. “I won’t even need Ike to help me since it’s my right hand that’s injured.”
A few minutes later, the threesome was stopped in front of the main house. *Let us go in and check things out first, * Ike suggested. *I just have the feeling that something isn’t right.*
Buck nodded his agreement. “I’ve got the same feeling; like someone’s watching us.”
The two of them took Laura to a spot where she’d be safe, and they would notice anyone approaching her. They then carefully entered the house and looked around. They couldn’t find anything out of the ordinary. Ike went and motioned for Laura to come on inside while Buck surveyed the surrounding area.
“I guess we’re just jumpy because of what happened earlier tonight,” Laura said as she entered the house.
*I guess so, * Ike agreed. Buck didn’t look so sure, but he still couldn’t find anyone else around so he decided they must be right.
“I’m really, really, tired,” Laura said. “Do you mind if I just go to bed, and we don’t continue to visit?”
*We don’t mind at all, * said Ike. *In fact, I’m ready to turn in myself. *
Buck added his agreement. “It’s been a long day. We’ll be going so you can get to bed.” He paused and looked at Ike. “I guess we should tell her now,” he said. “Just in case something comes up and we don’t get a chance in the morning.”
“Tell me what?” asked Laura, as she stopped going up the stairs to her room.
The two boys looked at the ground for a bit before Ike said, * We’ve heard about this new mail service, and we’d like to go check it out. We were planning on leaving in the morning and going to St. Joseph to see what we could find out. We know that …* he stopped when Laura held up her hand.
“I understand,” she said. “You’re feeling bad about leaving when you promised to be here for me. If I remember, you promised to see me through the summer. You’ve done that and more. If I don’t get to talk to you in the morning before you leave, please take care and if possible, keep in touch.”
“Thank you,” said Buck. “I’m glad you understand. We didn’t want to leave with any bad feelings between us.”
Laura smiled and came back down the stairs. She walked over to where the boys were standing. She reached out and touched Ike’s cheek and then Buck’s. “I’ll miss you both terribly,” she said. “I don’t know what I’ll do without my brothers around to keep me straight.” She then kissed them each on the cheek and once more headed up the stairs.
The boys watched her leave and then went to take care of the wagon. They unharnessed the horses, curried them, and then put them in their stables with some feed. “I guess we should go ahead and pack up tonight,” said Buck. “That way we can get an early start in the morning.”
Ike nodded his agreement so the two of them went to their room and quickly gathered all their possessions. This done they decided to turn in for the night. As they were undressing, they heard a scream from the main house.
*That’s Laura, * said Ike grabbing his pants and pulling them on. Buck did the same, and soon they were headed out of the barn towards Laura’s cries for help.
They had no sooner exited the barn when the rope settled around Buck’s shoulders. He was yanked off his feet and pulled to the ground. Ike was pushed aside and knocked to the ground. “I’d stay there if I were you,” one of the men said. Ike looked up to see a gun pointed in his face so he settled back down and tried to see what was happening to Buck.
After being kicked in the stomach a few times, Buck stopped struggling and lay on the ground trying to decide what he should do. He looked around, but he couldn’t see past the legs of the men surrounding him. “Why’d you have to go and ruin a perfectly good evening?” someone asked him as they slapped him across the face.
“What..?” he tried to ask, but was rewarded with another kick to the stomach that drove the air out of his lungs. He fought off the urge to black out. After a few more kicks, he was pulled to his feet and drug to the corral fence.
“We caught him trying to sneak away, Mr. Jamison,” one of the men said as they pushed Buck to the ground at his boss’s feet.
Mr. Jamison just stared at the boy before him. “Are you sure?” he asked. “Where’s the other one?”
The men looked around for Ike but couldn’t find him anywhere. “He must of snuck off while we was getting this one,” someone called. “Don’t worry; we’ll find him.” A few men left to go search.
Mr. Jamison returned his gaze to Buck. Again he asked, “You’re sure it was him?”
“We caught him running back here to the barn to get his horse,” one of the men said. The others nodded and mumbled their agreement.
Someone brought out his packed belongings. “Looks like he had this planned for a while,” he said as he flung it to the ground beside Buck.
Mr. Jamison nodded. “In that case, tie him to the fence here. I’ll go get my whip.” As he turned to leave he added. “Tie him tight; I don’t want him coming loose before he gets the full forty lashes.”
The men moved to do as instructed. All of a sudden, they were attacked by falling hay and stampeding horses. In the confusion, Ike managed to grab Buck and Buck’s belongings, get them both on a horse and lead them out of the disorder.
That evening, they made camp in a clump of trees halfway between the ranch and the mission. They didn’t dare light a fire for fear of being seen so they couldn’t talk about anything that happened.
As soon as it was light enough to see, they began their travels once more. They decided to go to the mission to see if they could get Sister Ruth to help them find out what it was Mr. Jamison thought Buck had done. As they neared the school, they saw some of the ranch hands leaving. They quickly hid and waited until dark to approach.
“I hope Laura is alright,” Buck said. “I’m not sure what happened, but I think she was hurt.”
Ike nodded. *Maybe Sister Ruth can find out. I just hope she doesn’t throw us out without listening to us. *
Buck shook his head. “She won’t,” he said. “She trusts us, and she doesn’t like Mr. Jamison.”
* I hope you’re right, * Ike said as they made their way to the back gate and Sister Ruth’s corner office.
* We were told to be your escort, * said Ike. * That means we had to see you home. Personally, I wish we could have left an hour or so earlier. *
“Me too,” said Laura. She turned to Buck. “When we get back to the house, you be sure and let me look at that hand.”
“It will be fine,” Buck said. “I have some medicine in my room that I can put one it.”
“You sure?” Laura asked. “I’d hate for it to get infected.”
“I’m sure,” replied Buck. “I won’t even need Ike to help me since it’s my right hand that’s injured.”
A few minutes later, the threesome was stopped in front of the main house. *Let us go in and check things out first, * Ike suggested. *I just have the feeling that something isn’t right.*
Buck nodded his agreement. “I’ve got the same feeling; like someone’s watching us.”
The two of them took Laura to a spot where she’d be safe, and they would notice anyone approaching her. They then carefully entered the house and looked around. They couldn’t find anything out of the ordinary. Ike went and motioned for Laura to come on inside while Buck surveyed the surrounding area.
“I guess we’re just jumpy because of what happened earlier tonight,” Laura said as she entered the house.
*I guess so, * Ike agreed. Buck didn’t look so sure, but he still couldn’t find anyone else around so he decided they must be right.
“I’m really, really, tired,” Laura said. “Do you mind if I just go to bed, and we don’t continue to visit?”
*We don’t mind at all, * said Ike. *In fact, I’m ready to turn in myself. *
Buck added his agreement. “It’s been a long day. We’ll be going so you can get to bed.” He paused and looked at Ike. “I guess we should tell her now,” he said. “Just in case something comes up and we don’t get a chance in the morning.”
“Tell me what?” asked Laura, as she stopped going up the stairs to her room.
The two boys looked at the ground for a bit before Ike said, * We’ve heard about this new mail service, and we’d like to go check it out. We were planning on leaving in the morning and going to St. Joseph to see what we could find out. We know that …* he stopped when Laura held up her hand.
“I understand,” she said. “You’re feeling bad about leaving when you promised to be here for me. If I remember, you promised to see me through the summer. You’ve done that and more. If I don’t get to talk to you in the morning before you leave, please take care and if possible, keep in touch.”
“Thank you,” said Buck. “I’m glad you understand. We didn’t want to leave with any bad feelings between us.”
Laura smiled and came back down the stairs. She walked over to where the boys were standing. She reached out and touched Ike’s cheek and then Buck’s. “I’ll miss you both terribly,” she said. “I don’t know what I’ll do without my brothers around to keep me straight.” She then kissed them each on the cheek and once more headed up the stairs.
The boys watched her leave and then went to take care of the wagon. They unharnessed the horses, curried them, and then put them in their stables with some feed. “I guess we should go ahead and pack up tonight,” said Buck. “That way we can get an early start in the morning.”
Ike nodded his agreement so the two of them went to their room and quickly gathered all their possessions. This done they decided to turn in for the night. As they were undressing, they heard a scream from the main house.
*That’s Laura, * said Ike grabbing his pants and pulling them on. Buck did the same, and soon they were headed out of the barn towards Laura’s cries for help.
They had no sooner exited the barn when the rope settled around Buck’s shoulders. He was yanked off his feet and pulled to the ground. Ike was pushed aside and knocked to the ground. “I’d stay there if I were you,” one of the men said. Ike looked up to see a gun pointed in his face so he settled back down and tried to see what was happening to Buck.
After being kicked in the stomach a few times, Buck stopped struggling and lay on the ground trying to decide what he should do. He looked around, but he couldn’t see past the legs of the men surrounding him. “Why’d you have to go and ruin a perfectly good evening?” someone asked him as they slapped him across the face.
“What..?” he tried to ask, but was rewarded with another kick to the stomach that drove the air out of his lungs. He fought off the urge to black out. After a few more kicks, he was pulled to his feet and drug to the corral fence.
“We caught him trying to sneak away, Mr. Jamison,” one of the men said as they pushed Buck to the ground at his boss’s feet.
Mr. Jamison just stared at the boy before him. “Are you sure?” he asked. “Where’s the other one?”
The men looked around for Ike but couldn’t find him anywhere. “He must of snuck off while we was getting this one,” someone called. “Don’t worry; we’ll find him.” A few men left to go search.
Mr. Jamison returned his gaze to Buck. Again he asked, “You’re sure it was him?”
“We caught him running back here to the barn to get his horse,” one of the men said. The others nodded and mumbled their agreement.
Someone brought out his packed belongings. “Looks like he had this planned for a while,” he said as he flung it to the ground beside Buck.
Mr. Jamison nodded. “In that case, tie him to the fence here. I’ll go get my whip.” As he turned to leave he added. “Tie him tight; I don’t want him coming loose before he gets the full forty lashes.”
The men moved to do as instructed. All of a sudden, they were attacked by falling hay and stampeding horses. In the confusion, Ike managed to grab Buck and Buck’s belongings, get them both on a horse and lead them out of the disorder.
That evening, they made camp in a clump of trees halfway between the ranch and the mission. They didn’t dare light a fire for fear of being seen so they couldn’t talk about anything that happened.
As soon as it was light enough to see, they began their travels once more. They decided to go to the mission to see if they could get Sister Ruth to help them find out what it was Mr. Jamison thought Buck had done. As they neared the school, they saw some of the ranch hands leaving. They quickly hid and waited until dark to approach.
“I hope Laura is alright,” Buck said. “I’m not sure what happened, but I think she was hurt.”
Ike nodded. *Maybe Sister Ruth can find out. I just hope she doesn’t throw us out without listening to us. *
Buck shook his head. “She won’t,” he said. “She trusts us, and she doesn’t like Mr. Jamison.”
* I hope you’re right, * Ike said as they made their way to the back gate and Sister Ruth’s corner office.
Chapter Twelve
Sister Ruth sat in her office grading the papers of her students. She looked up when someone tapped on the window. She let out a sigh of relief when she saw the two faces staring in at her. She quickly went to the back door to her office and opened it.
“Hurry,” she said. “I don’t know if he left someone here to spy on us or not.”
*We don’t want to get you in trouble, * Ike said, * but we didn’t know where else we could get help. *
She nodded. “I’m glad you came,” she said. She turned to look at Buck. “Are you alright?” she asked.
He shook is head. “Not really,” he said. “My head hurts, and I need to doctor the cut on my hand.”
“Follow me,” she instructed.
They made their way to the infirmary where Sister Ruth quickly tended the cut on Buck’s hand and then cleaned the scrapes on his face. “Anywhere else?” she asked.
“My ribs are a little sore,” Buck said, “but you can’t do anything about that.”
“I could give you some medicine to lessen the pain,” Sister Ruth replied.
Buck shook his head. “That’s alright. They don’t hurt that much and I’d rather not have my head clouded by the medicine.” He paused a bit before asking, “Did they tell you what it is I’m supposed to have done?”
“According to the men from the BarJ, Miss Laura Jamison was attacked in her home. Her attacker tried to force himself on her, but she managed to get away and call for help. This must have frightened the attacker because he was caught trying to make his get away with the assistance of his accomplice,” Sister Ruth said.
She looked at the two boys in front of her. “So tell me what really happened?”
* We don’t know, * Ike stated. * We’d brought Laura back from the dance, took care of the animals, prepared to leave the next morning, and were getting ready for bed when we heard her scream. We were leaving the barn on the way to the house when Buck was captured. It was insane!*
“I can keep you hidden here a day or two so you can rest up for your ride,” she said. “Where were you planning on going?”
“We were going to go to St. Joseph’s to look into getting hired for that new mail service; I think it’s called the Pony Express.”
“I’ve heard of it,” said Sister Ruth. “I suggest that you go farther west before you sign on,” she said. “From what I hear, if you get assigned around here, you’ll ride around here. It wouldn’t be safe.”
The boys thanked Sister Ruth and were soon sleeping in a small room under her office. She kept them fed and tended Buck’s injuries. Finally, about a week later, she said, “I think you should leave tonight. There’s enough of a moon for you to see, but not enough for anyone to track you.”
The boys quickly gathered their belongings and followed Sister Ruth to the stables. She helped them prepare their mounts and then sent them on their way. “Take care,” she said. “Keep in touch.” As they started to leave, she reached up and stopped Ike’s horse. “I know you are going to want to check with Laura to see how she’s doing. Don’t. They’ll be able to find you if you do. I was given this in town this morning.” She handed Ike a wanted poster that had their names on it.
He quickly read over it. It contained their descriptions and in big bold letters across the top it said: Wanted: Escaped convicted criminal – Buck Cross – and his accomplice – Ike McSwain.
* I’ll keep him from writing, * Ike promised, *but I’m not showing him this unless I have to.*
Sister Ruth nodded. “That’s why I decided to speak to you,” she said. “I knew you’d understand.”
The boys were soon on their way. After a couple of days traveling at night, they decided they were far enough away that they could risk traveling during the day and even stopping in town to purchase some much-needed supplies.
As they made camp, Ike suggested. * Why don’t you ride into town and see about buying our supplies? * I’ll stay here and guard the camp.
“We could just both go,” said Buck. “If we wait until the morning, there’s no need to guard the camp.”
Ike nodded. * I think we should go into towns or areas where there are lots of people separately. *
“Why?” asked Buck, beginning to feel the anger he experienced when he was wrongfully accused of doing something simply because of his skin. “You trying to tell me you’re ashamed to be seen with me?”
* You know better than that, * Ike said. *It’s just that if they happen to have come this far, they’re looking for two people – a half-breed and a bald, mute. How many times do you think people around here see that combination? *
Buck began to calm down as he realized that Ike was only thinking of their safety. “I’m sorry I got angry,” he said.
Ike nodded. * I should have explained it better, * he said. * I didn’t mean to make you feel unwanted; I know how much you hate that. *
Buck smiled. “That’s alright,” he said. “So you really think I’ll have a better chance of getting supplies?”
Ike shrugged. * At least you can ask for what we want, * he pointed out.
“Alright,” Buck said. “I’ll ride into the next town and see what I can do. If I can’t get anything there, tomorrow you can try.” He mounted his horse and headed into the town of Blue Creek. While he was in the store he noticed that they were signing up people for the Pony Express in Sweetwater the next few days.
He told Ike when he got back to camp. “I guess we need to go in separately there too,” he said. “Just to be safe.”
Ike agreed so when they reached Sweetwater, Ike went in first. A few hours later Buck went in. They were both accepted as riders. The next morning found them facing Teaspoon Hunter and his interesting tests.
Their decision to pretend they didn’t know each other fell apart quickly once Teaspoon started to give Ike a bit of grief for not speaking. “His name’s Ike McSwain,” Buck said. “He can hear, but he can’t speak. He’s real good around horses.”
They were soon members of a group of orphans that was fast turning into a family. Ike managed to convince Buck that writing Laura wasn’t a good idea – even though they’d promised to stay in touch. By keeping in touch with Sister Ruth he’d learned that Mr. Jamison was still searching, but he was concentrating the search back east. Things were going well, and Ike finally started to relax. All that changed one day, when the boys decided to make an extra stop at Tompkins store.
“Hurry,” she said. “I don’t know if he left someone here to spy on us or not.”
*We don’t want to get you in trouble, * Ike said, * but we didn’t know where else we could get help. *
She nodded. “I’m glad you came,” she said. She turned to look at Buck. “Are you alright?” she asked.
He shook is head. “Not really,” he said. “My head hurts, and I need to doctor the cut on my hand.”
“Follow me,” she instructed.
They made their way to the infirmary where Sister Ruth quickly tended the cut on Buck’s hand and then cleaned the scrapes on his face. “Anywhere else?” she asked.
“My ribs are a little sore,” Buck said, “but you can’t do anything about that.”
“I could give you some medicine to lessen the pain,” Sister Ruth replied.
Buck shook his head. “That’s alright. They don’t hurt that much and I’d rather not have my head clouded by the medicine.” He paused a bit before asking, “Did they tell you what it is I’m supposed to have done?”
“According to the men from the BarJ, Miss Laura Jamison was attacked in her home. Her attacker tried to force himself on her, but she managed to get away and call for help. This must have frightened the attacker because he was caught trying to make his get away with the assistance of his accomplice,” Sister Ruth said.
She looked at the two boys in front of her. “So tell me what really happened?”
* We don’t know, * Ike stated. * We’d brought Laura back from the dance, took care of the animals, prepared to leave the next morning, and were getting ready for bed when we heard her scream. We were leaving the barn on the way to the house when Buck was captured. It was insane!*
“I can keep you hidden here a day or two so you can rest up for your ride,” she said. “Where were you planning on going?”
“We were going to go to St. Joseph’s to look into getting hired for that new mail service; I think it’s called the Pony Express.”
“I’ve heard of it,” said Sister Ruth. “I suggest that you go farther west before you sign on,” she said. “From what I hear, if you get assigned around here, you’ll ride around here. It wouldn’t be safe.”
The boys thanked Sister Ruth and were soon sleeping in a small room under her office. She kept them fed and tended Buck’s injuries. Finally, about a week later, she said, “I think you should leave tonight. There’s enough of a moon for you to see, but not enough for anyone to track you.”
The boys quickly gathered their belongings and followed Sister Ruth to the stables. She helped them prepare their mounts and then sent them on their way. “Take care,” she said. “Keep in touch.” As they started to leave, she reached up and stopped Ike’s horse. “I know you are going to want to check with Laura to see how she’s doing. Don’t. They’ll be able to find you if you do. I was given this in town this morning.” She handed Ike a wanted poster that had their names on it.
He quickly read over it. It contained their descriptions and in big bold letters across the top it said: Wanted: Escaped convicted criminal – Buck Cross – and his accomplice – Ike McSwain.
* I’ll keep him from writing, * Ike promised, *but I’m not showing him this unless I have to.*
Sister Ruth nodded. “That’s why I decided to speak to you,” she said. “I knew you’d understand.”
The boys were soon on their way. After a couple of days traveling at night, they decided they were far enough away that they could risk traveling during the day and even stopping in town to purchase some much-needed supplies.
As they made camp, Ike suggested. * Why don’t you ride into town and see about buying our supplies? * I’ll stay here and guard the camp.
“We could just both go,” said Buck. “If we wait until the morning, there’s no need to guard the camp.”
Ike nodded. * I think we should go into towns or areas where there are lots of people separately. *
“Why?” asked Buck, beginning to feel the anger he experienced when he was wrongfully accused of doing something simply because of his skin. “You trying to tell me you’re ashamed to be seen with me?”
* You know better than that, * Ike said. *It’s just that if they happen to have come this far, they’re looking for two people – a half-breed and a bald, mute. How many times do you think people around here see that combination? *
Buck began to calm down as he realized that Ike was only thinking of their safety. “I’m sorry I got angry,” he said.
Ike nodded. * I should have explained it better, * he said. * I didn’t mean to make you feel unwanted; I know how much you hate that. *
Buck smiled. “That’s alright,” he said. “So you really think I’ll have a better chance of getting supplies?”
Ike shrugged. * At least you can ask for what we want, * he pointed out.
“Alright,” Buck said. “I’ll ride into the next town and see what I can do. If I can’t get anything there, tomorrow you can try.” He mounted his horse and headed into the town of Blue Creek. While he was in the store he noticed that they were signing up people for the Pony Express in Sweetwater the next few days.
He told Ike when he got back to camp. “I guess we need to go in separately there too,” he said. “Just to be safe.”
Ike agreed so when they reached Sweetwater, Ike went in first. A few hours later Buck went in. They were both accepted as riders. The next morning found them facing Teaspoon Hunter and his interesting tests.
Their decision to pretend they didn’t know each other fell apart quickly once Teaspoon started to give Ike a bit of grief for not speaking. “His name’s Ike McSwain,” Buck said. “He can hear, but he can’t speak. He’s real good around horses.”
They were soon members of a group of orphans that was fast turning into a family. Ike managed to convince Buck that writing Laura wasn’t a good idea – even though they’d promised to stay in touch. By keeping in touch with Sister Ruth he’d learned that Mr. Jamison was still searching, but he was concentrating the search back east. Things were going well, and Ike finally started to relax. All that changed one day, when the boys decided to make an extra stop at Tompkins store.
Chapter Thirteen
After Ike and Buck finished telling their story, Sam nodded and asked, “Any idea who really attacked her?”
Buck and Ike both nodded. “Can’t prove it though,” Buck said.
“You know if she survived?” Sam asked.
Both boys shook their heads. “I feel like she did because he wasn’t going to hang me or shoot me,” Buck said. “He was just going to teach me my place.”
Sam nodded once more. “I think I’ll go have a talk with Mr. Jamison.” He glanced at Teaspoon. “Want to come along?”
Teaspoon nodded. “Love to,” he said. “Perhaps Ike should come along as well; he’ll know if the man’s lying or not.”
“Good idea,” said Sam. “You up to that?” he asked Ike.
Ike nodded. The three were soon on their way to Sweetwater. Emma helped Buck get comfortable and then went to explain the situation to the others. When she returned, she went to reassure Buck. “I’m sure everything will be fine,” she said with a smile.
“I hope so,” Buck said quietly. “I never meant to get Ike in trouble; I just couldn’t let that man hurt her.”
“I think Ike knows that,” Emma said. She decided to try and keep Buck talking since he wasn’t going to rest until Ike and the others returned.
“When you stopped him, how did you hurt your hand?”
Buck shrugged. “I think I broke the glass I was holding,” he said. “I don’t really remember anything except telling the foreman to let her go.” He paused and glanced at Emma. “It’s sort of like this morning with Tompkins. I remember his comment about Ike and the look of hurt on Ike’s face and then I remember threatening him, but I’m not sure how I got from the door to where I was standing if front of him with my knife drawn.”
Emma nodded. “Was anyone else in the store?” she asked after a brief pause.
Buck thought. “The Jenkins, Tompkins, those two men who work for him, old man Watkins, and a few other people I didn’t recognize. Why?”
“I just thought it would be good to have someone else’s view on what happened,” Emma said. “That way on one can accuse Sam of taking sides and decide to take things into their own hands.”
Buck nodded. He wished the others would return soon. The pain was making it hard to stay awake.
Emma helped him drink some water. “Why don’t you try to get some rest? I’ll let you know as soon as they return.”
Buck nodded and was soon resting.
Teaspoon and Ike returned just as Emma began the preparations for the evening meal.
They had convinced Mr. Jamison to leave. “Sam had to promise him that Ike and Buck wouldn’t go anywhere until he’d brought his daughter here and we’d heard her story.”
“Does he have to lock us up?” Buck asked.
Teaspoon shook his head. “Just need to have you both in town next week when the judge passes through.”
“What about Tompkins?” asked Buck. “Is he pressing charges?”
Ike shook his head. * He admitted that he might have provoked you once the other people started telling what happened. He did insist we tell you not to come in the store unless you’re on a supply run with someone else. *
Buck smiled weakly and shook his head. It was nice to know that some things never changed.
Buck and Ike both nodded. “Can’t prove it though,” Buck said.
“You know if she survived?” Sam asked.
Both boys shook their heads. “I feel like she did because he wasn’t going to hang me or shoot me,” Buck said. “He was just going to teach me my place.”
Sam nodded once more. “I think I’ll go have a talk with Mr. Jamison.” He glanced at Teaspoon. “Want to come along?”
Teaspoon nodded. “Love to,” he said. “Perhaps Ike should come along as well; he’ll know if the man’s lying or not.”
“Good idea,” said Sam. “You up to that?” he asked Ike.
Ike nodded. The three were soon on their way to Sweetwater. Emma helped Buck get comfortable and then went to explain the situation to the others. When she returned, she went to reassure Buck. “I’m sure everything will be fine,” she said with a smile.
“I hope so,” Buck said quietly. “I never meant to get Ike in trouble; I just couldn’t let that man hurt her.”
“I think Ike knows that,” Emma said. She decided to try and keep Buck talking since he wasn’t going to rest until Ike and the others returned.
“When you stopped him, how did you hurt your hand?”
Buck shrugged. “I think I broke the glass I was holding,” he said. “I don’t really remember anything except telling the foreman to let her go.” He paused and glanced at Emma. “It’s sort of like this morning with Tompkins. I remember his comment about Ike and the look of hurt on Ike’s face and then I remember threatening him, but I’m not sure how I got from the door to where I was standing if front of him with my knife drawn.”
Emma nodded. “Was anyone else in the store?” she asked after a brief pause.
Buck thought. “The Jenkins, Tompkins, those two men who work for him, old man Watkins, and a few other people I didn’t recognize. Why?”
“I just thought it would be good to have someone else’s view on what happened,” Emma said. “That way on one can accuse Sam of taking sides and decide to take things into their own hands.”
Buck nodded. He wished the others would return soon. The pain was making it hard to stay awake.
Emma helped him drink some water. “Why don’t you try to get some rest? I’ll let you know as soon as they return.”
Buck nodded and was soon resting.
Teaspoon and Ike returned just as Emma began the preparations for the evening meal.
They had convinced Mr. Jamison to leave. “Sam had to promise him that Ike and Buck wouldn’t go anywhere until he’d brought his daughter here and we’d heard her story.”
“Does he have to lock us up?” Buck asked.
Teaspoon shook his head. “Just need to have you both in town next week when the judge passes through.”
“What about Tompkins?” asked Buck. “Is he pressing charges?”
Ike shook his head. * He admitted that he might have provoked you once the other people started telling what happened. He did insist we tell you not to come in the store unless you’re on a supply run with someone else. *
Buck smiled weakly and shook his head. It was nice to know that some things never changed.
Chapter Fourteen
The week passed slowly since Buck was confined to the bed, and Ike couldn’t leave the way station. “Your back really that sore?” Cody asked the third day of this arrangement, “or are you just enjoying watching me do your chores?”
Buck chuckled. “If I could get out of this bed without having Emma skin me, I would. I’d happily do my chores; this bed rest is driving me crazy.” Ike came in the room about that time.
*Aren’t you supposed to be cleaning the horse stalls? * he asked Cody.
Cody nodded. “I just thought I’d make sure Buck didn’t want to help,” he said as he moved out the door away from the pillow Ike threw at him.
*He’s supposed to rest,* he said. *You know that.* He watched Cody run out of the bunk house.
*Was he bothering you?* Ike asked. * I can go get Emma. *
“No,” said Buck, “Please, don’t go get Emma. I don’t want anyone to get in trouble. In fact, I’d love to be able to get out of bed. I don’t know how people do this. It’s driving me nuts not being able to move around.”
*At least you can sit up without it hurting too much, * Ike said. * That must mean it’s going to heal alright.*
Buck nodded. “So,” he said. “How long do you think we can keep this secret? I know Teaspoon and Emma haven’t told the others anything about the poster because no one has been in here pestering either of us for details.” He stopped for a bit before continuing, “Do you know what they did tell them?”
Ike nodded. * Emma just told them that you had to stay in bed because of your back, and that she wanted me here because they hadn’t found the man who hurt you yet. *
“Why would that make you have to stay here?” Buck asked confused by this reasoning.
* According to Emma, * Ike said, *I could be thought of as a witness. The man who attacked you could be looking for me to make sure I don’t identify him. *
“But you didn’t see anything,” Buck said, “did you?”
Ike shook his head. * But Mr. Jamison doesn’t know that, * Ike pointed out. * He’d have to think I’d realize who it was that would want to use a whip on you so badly that he’d risk doing so in the middle of the street in town. Besides, he probably wants to use it on me almost as badly. After all, I did help you escape. *
Buck sighed. “I guess we should tell everyone what’s really going on. I’d feel better if they knew before the trip into town next week. This bunch isn’t always so good at handling surprises. I’m not sure how I’d react if once they hear what I supposedly did they decided I needed to be punished.”
*I’m pretty sure they won’t think that, * said Ike, *but I agree we should tell them ahead of time. Maybe tonight after dinner. I’ll go talk Teaspoon and see what he thinks. *
“Thanks,” said Buck. “If you can’t convince him, bring him over here so we can work on him together.”
That evening, Buck explained the situation to the others. They took the news better than he had expected. He felt certain that at least one of them would be unsure that he wasn’t guilty. They’d all offered nothing but support. Buck slept well for the first time in days.
Finally it was time to face the judge. As they filed into Sam’s office, Laura Jamison exclaimed in surprise. “This is who you’ve been chasing all this time?”
Her father nodded. She turned to the judge, “Please let me tell you my story first. I think it will clear most of this up.”
Her story was much the same as the one Buck and Ike had told earlier. “After they left me at the house,” she said, “I heard a noise downstairs. I thought one of them had come back for something and I went to see what they needed. As I passed the parlor door, someone grabbed me. He covered my mouth so I couldn’t scream and dragged me to the basement. He stuffed something into my mouth and covered my head.” She stopped speaking for a few seconds and glanced at her father. “After he tore my dress from my body, I somehow managed to get free. I pulled the bag off my head, ran up the stairs, opened the window and screamed for help.
“Father showed up, took one look at me and left. A few minutes later he came back and told me they’d caught the man, but he’d gotten away. He promised to hunt him down and make him pay even if it took him the rest of his life.”
She once more stopped speaking; she smiled at Buck. “I didn’t know he was looking for you, or I would have told him he had the wrong man. I don’t know for sure who it was that attacked me, but I know it wasn’t you or Ike. The man who tried to hurt me was older, rougher, and he stank of whiskey.”
Mr. Jamison looked from his daughter to Buck. “The men were all so sure,” he said. “I realize I should have waited, but I was so upset. I just didn’t think.”
Buck nodded. “I understand,” he said. “I would have probably done the same thing if I’d been in your shoes. I know I almost gutted Mr. Hopkins at the party for trying to force her to dance with him.”
Mr. Jamison took in this information. “I should have known it was him when he didn’t show up for work the next morning.” He turned to face Sam and the judge. “I’d like to drop all charges against Buck and Ike.”
Sam and the judge nodded. Mr. Jamison then turned to face Buck and Ike. “I realize that you can charge me with assault,” he said to Buck, “but I’d appreciate it if you could see your way clear to forgiving me and letting me go back home.”
Buck looked over at Ike before answering. “I have no problems letting you go home as long as you make me a promise in return.”
“What’s that?” asked Mr. Jamison.
“Please promise that you won’t make decisions about people’s guilt or innocence so quickly. I’m not sure next time will turn out so well,” replied Buck.
“I promise,” said Mr. Jamison, moving to shake Buck’s hand. “I really appreciate this.”
He took Laura by the arm and the two of them left. As they went by, Laura turned to Buck and smiled. “I’m so sorry,” she said. “I really didn’t know.”
Buck nodded. “I know that,” he said.
Ike watched them leave and then turned to Buck. * It’s going to be nice not having to worry about that poster showing up anymore. *
Buck looked at him in surprise. “You knew about that?” he asked.
Ike nodded. * Sister showed it to me when she suggested we head this way. She figured that he’d never start looking for us in this direction. I think she was right too. I was asking around and it turns out that Mr. Jamison wasn’t here looking for us; he was here visiting an old school friend from back east. You’ll never guess who? * He smiled.
Buck chuckled. “If I could get out of this bed without having Emma skin me, I would. I’d happily do my chores; this bed rest is driving me crazy.” Ike came in the room about that time.
*Aren’t you supposed to be cleaning the horse stalls? * he asked Cody.
Cody nodded. “I just thought I’d make sure Buck didn’t want to help,” he said as he moved out the door away from the pillow Ike threw at him.
*He’s supposed to rest,* he said. *You know that.* He watched Cody run out of the bunk house.
*Was he bothering you?* Ike asked. * I can go get Emma. *
“No,” said Buck, “Please, don’t go get Emma. I don’t want anyone to get in trouble. In fact, I’d love to be able to get out of bed. I don’t know how people do this. It’s driving me nuts not being able to move around.”
*At least you can sit up without it hurting too much, * Ike said. * That must mean it’s going to heal alright.*
Buck nodded. “So,” he said. “How long do you think we can keep this secret? I know Teaspoon and Emma haven’t told the others anything about the poster because no one has been in here pestering either of us for details.” He stopped for a bit before continuing, “Do you know what they did tell them?”
Ike nodded. * Emma just told them that you had to stay in bed because of your back, and that she wanted me here because they hadn’t found the man who hurt you yet. *
“Why would that make you have to stay here?” Buck asked confused by this reasoning.
* According to Emma, * Ike said, *I could be thought of as a witness. The man who attacked you could be looking for me to make sure I don’t identify him. *
“But you didn’t see anything,” Buck said, “did you?”
Ike shook his head. * But Mr. Jamison doesn’t know that, * Ike pointed out. * He’d have to think I’d realize who it was that would want to use a whip on you so badly that he’d risk doing so in the middle of the street in town. Besides, he probably wants to use it on me almost as badly. After all, I did help you escape. *
Buck sighed. “I guess we should tell everyone what’s really going on. I’d feel better if they knew before the trip into town next week. This bunch isn’t always so good at handling surprises. I’m not sure how I’d react if once they hear what I supposedly did they decided I needed to be punished.”
*I’m pretty sure they won’t think that, * said Ike, *but I agree we should tell them ahead of time. Maybe tonight after dinner. I’ll go talk Teaspoon and see what he thinks. *
“Thanks,” said Buck. “If you can’t convince him, bring him over here so we can work on him together.”
That evening, Buck explained the situation to the others. They took the news better than he had expected. He felt certain that at least one of them would be unsure that he wasn’t guilty. They’d all offered nothing but support. Buck slept well for the first time in days.
Finally it was time to face the judge. As they filed into Sam’s office, Laura Jamison exclaimed in surprise. “This is who you’ve been chasing all this time?”
Her father nodded. She turned to the judge, “Please let me tell you my story first. I think it will clear most of this up.”
Her story was much the same as the one Buck and Ike had told earlier. “After they left me at the house,” she said, “I heard a noise downstairs. I thought one of them had come back for something and I went to see what they needed. As I passed the parlor door, someone grabbed me. He covered my mouth so I couldn’t scream and dragged me to the basement. He stuffed something into my mouth and covered my head.” She stopped speaking for a few seconds and glanced at her father. “After he tore my dress from my body, I somehow managed to get free. I pulled the bag off my head, ran up the stairs, opened the window and screamed for help.
“Father showed up, took one look at me and left. A few minutes later he came back and told me they’d caught the man, but he’d gotten away. He promised to hunt him down and make him pay even if it took him the rest of his life.”
She once more stopped speaking; she smiled at Buck. “I didn’t know he was looking for you, or I would have told him he had the wrong man. I don’t know for sure who it was that attacked me, but I know it wasn’t you or Ike. The man who tried to hurt me was older, rougher, and he stank of whiskey.”
Mr. Jamison looked from his daughter to Buck. “The men were all so sure,” he said. “I realize I should have waited, but I was so upset. I just didn’t think.”
Buck nodded. “I understand,” he said. “I would have probably done the same thing if I’d been in your shoes. I know I almost gutted Mr. Hopkins at the party for trying to force her to dance with him.”
Mr. Jamison took in this information. “I should have known it was him when he didn’t show up for work the next morning.” He turned to face Sam and the judge. “I’d like to drop all charges against Buck and Ike.”
Sam and the judge nodded. Mr. Jamison then turned to face Buck and Ike. “I realize that you can charge me with assault,” he said to Buck, “but I’d appreciate it if you could see your way clear to forgiving me and letting me go back home.”
Buck looked over at Ike before answering. “I have no problems letting you go home as long as you make me a promise in return.”
“What’s that?” asked Mr. Jamison.
“Please promise that you won’t make decisions about people’s guilt or innocence so quickly. I’m not sure next time will turn out so well,” replied Buck.
“I promise,” said Mr. Jamison, moving to shake Buck’s hand. “I really appreciate this.”
He took Laura by the arm and the two of them left. As they went by, Laura turned to Buck and smiled. “I’m so sorry,” she said. “I really didn’t know.”
Buck nodded. “I know that,” he said.
Ike watched them leave and then turned to Buck. * It’s going to be nice not having to worry about that poster showing up anymore. *
Buck looked at him in surprise. “You knew about that?” he asked.
Ike nodded. * Sister showed it to me when she suggested we head this way. She figured that he’d never start looking for us in this direction. I think she was right too. I was asking around and it turns out that Mr. Jamison wasn’t here looking for us; he was here visiting an old school friend from back east. You’ll never guess who? * He smiled.