Chapter 10

Vin, Buck, Josiah and Ezra sat at one of the back tables of the saloon. Inez brought them a bottle of whiskey and some glasses. Buck thanked her and once she was gone, turned to confront Ezra.

“You want us to do what?” he exclaimed as Ezra laid out his plan to them.

Ezra sighed tiredly. He had been spending the past hour explaining his plan to the others. Although Vin and Josiah seem to listen with patience, Buck did not.

“Mr. Wilmington, please keep your voice down. We do not want the whole town to hear,” admonished Ezra.

“But come on, Ezra. The Judge he ain’t gon’na go for this,” interjected Buck.

“The Judge does not have to be informed, Mr. Wilmington. We all agree that if we cannot prove Chris’ innocence before this Judge Williams and his henchmen decide to abscond with our illustrious leader, that some drastic action must be taken.”

“Yeah, Ez,” piped in Vin. “But the problem is how ya gon’na get Chris to go along with it?”

Ezra smiled wickedly. “Who says that Mr. Larabee has to be made aware of our plan? I think we know what is best for him,” answered Ezra determinedly.

Vin smirked at his comment, while Josiah and Buck eyed him troubled.

“Don’t even think it, Ezra!” said Josiah firmly. “We can’t do that to Chris.”

“We do whatever we must to save his life, Mr. Sanchez. Or would you rather see Mr. Larabee hanging from the nearest gallows?”

That brought fire into their eyes. No. They did not want to see Chris strung up for something they did not think he was guilty of.

“Okay, Ezra. But let me just voice my objection to this now,” said Josiah in defeat.

“Me, too,” replied Buck.

“Vin?” queried Ezra calmly.

“I guess if it comes to that, then I’m in. I’d rather have an angry Larabee, than a dead one,” responded Vin, nodding in ascent. “And there’s also the Cheyenne. They ain’t gon’na let that Judge and his men take ‘im anyway. If we don’t figure this out soon, we gon’na have a war on our hands and it ain’t gon’na be pretty.”

They all nodded in agreement at Vin’s statement. They all knew the Cheyenne would be single-minded when it came to protecting one of their own.

“Now that we have all agreed to what the contingency plan is, let’s discuss my original plan.”

“Which is?” questioned Buck.

“Which is to find the sheriff and his deputy and interrogate them as to the facts of the incident.”

“Well, that ain’t gon’na be all that easy, if ya ask me!” snapped Buck. “We don’t know where the hell they are! Or if they’re still alive.”

“Please, Mr. Wilmington, if you would just be patient. While you were busily arguing with our dear Judge Travis, I happen to acquire a certain document with the name and whereabouts of the men we speak.”

All of them eyed Ezra in surprise.

“And where did you get this document, Ezra?” asked Josiah curious, although he knew better than to ask when it came to Ezra.

“Where it was acquired is not important at the moment, Mr. Sanchez. The important thing is that two of those men is on their way here with Judge Williams.”

“Comin’ here? Who?” asked Buck.

Ezra reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece paper. It was telegraph from what they could see.

“To Judge Travis, from Judge Williams of Broken Bow, Nebraska. STOP. I am pleased to hear that you have the murderer Christopher Michael Larabee in your custody. STOP. I will be in Four Corners in two days. STOP. I will be bringing with me witnesses to the incident, Sheriff Manning and his deputy. END STOP.”

“So they comin’ here,” said Vin thoughtfully.

“Yes. I believe a way has been presented to us, gentlemen,” said Ezra leaning back into his chair with his hands clasped behind his head.

“Okay, Ezra,” said Buck. “Let’s hear what you got in mind.”

Ezra sat forward again, motioning for the others to lean in closer so that he could explain just what he had in mind.

**************************************************************************************************************************

ó'kôhóme and JD had reached Larabee’s room and found Nathan sitting in a chair, with one hand reading a book and the other rocking the cradle that carried Chris’ son. Mapiya was laying on the bed, asleep next to her husband, her arm gently lying on his chest as Chris slept restlessly.

When he looked up from the book and saw them entered, he held his finger to his lips, motioning them to be quiet as he did not want to wake the baby or his patient.

ó'kôhóme and JD nodded that they understood and walked over to look at the sleeping boy. ó'kôhóme smiled with pride at his little nephew. The child was sleeping on his back, his eyes, which ó'kôhóme knew were the dark brown of his sister was closed. The hair that he had inherited from his father stuck up like corn stalks on his head. They needed to be home and as far as ó'kôhóme was concerned, it was not here among the white man. He had seen how these people had treated half bloods. He knew his nephew would be one of them if he stayed.

As JD stood quietly talking to Nathan, ó'kôhóme walked cautiously over to the bed where his sister lay. He then knelt down to her and touched her hand lightly.

As with any other Cheyenne, Mapiya eyes came fully open and saw the figure of her brother kneeling next to her. “ó'kôhóme? All is well?” she asked in Cheyenne.

“Yes, little sister,” replied ó'kôhóme in the same language. “All is well. Go back to sleep. You are tired.”

Mapiya smiled at her brother and sat up in the bed. He had changed much since their unfortunate parting. She had heard from Kovaahe how he tried to right the wrongs he had done since she was gone. Although she had also heard that things were still not well with the tribe.

There were still fractions that still wanted to follow ó'kôhóme’s preaching and even though ó'kôhóme tried to dissuade them, they would have none of it. Her father, Chief Aenohe was having a hard time keeping the people together. The talk always surrounded Emo'ôhtavo vo'e.

The people believed what the wise man of the tribe predicted. He was the one destined to keep them safe from the white man, but with him gone from the tribe, the people were indecisive about what to do.

Some wanted to bring him back, others wanted to move on to where the Sioux were getting ready to rage a war against the blue coats in full force. But still held by tradition, most were waiting for their Chief to tell them what they will do and from what Mapiya understood her father was at a crossroads also.

Mapiya came out of her thoughts to find her brother staring at her sadly. “Are you not well, my brother?”

ó'kôhóme shook off his maudlin thoughts and said, “I am fine, little sister. So seems to be your son. He will be a fine warrior.”

“Yes. But Emo'ôhtavo vo'e…”

“Shhh,” he replied quickly placing his fingers to her lips. “Emo'ôhtavo vo'e is strong. I should know. Remember I have seen his strength for myself.”

Mapiya laughed gently at that. She did remember how ó'kôhóme had tested Emo'ôhtavo vo'e’s endurance and lost. “Yes, brother. I remember well.” She then yawned and stretched her arms to remove the kinks out of them. She was still a little tired having stayed up all night taking care of her husband. “I will sleep for a little longer. Wake me when Heoveaenohe wakes up. I will need to feed him,” said Mapiya laying back down next to her husband and closing her eyes.

ó'kôhóme grinned widely at the sight of his sister and her husband. Yes. They were good together and ó'kôhóme would make sure that nothing would destroy that.

ó'kôhóme stood up and felt someone standing behind him. He turned to find Nathan and JD looking at the couple on the bed in concern.

“Is he okay?” asked JD, his comment was specifically addressed to Nathan.

“As best as can be expected,” answered Nathan. “I’m just worried about the cough and the congestion that’s buildin’ in his chest.”

“Do…Do ya think Judge Williams will be able to take Chris away from us?” asked JD tentatively.

“Don’t know, JD. But I can tell ya one thing. None of us gon’na let that happened. I don’t think even Judge Travis and Mary will stand for that and ya know Ms. Potter and the townspeople that Chris has helped more than once since he came here are gon’na stand for that.”

“But ya heard the Judge, Nate. He ain’t got no choice.”

“That’s where ya wrong, JD. We all have choices. some harder than others. I mean, if it weren’t for Chris and Vin makin’ the choice to stop them men from hangin’ a black man like me, I wouldn’t be here today. Nope, JD, we still have choices, that’s for sure.”

JD nodded that he understood, but he still had a bad feeling that it was not going to be easy. But like the others, he would die fighting for Chris’ life.

“Well, I heard Ezra got a plan. It seems Judge Williams and the Sheriff and deputy of Broken Bow are on their way here. Ezra thinks we can get them to testify that Chris did not commit murder.”

“I just hope I have don’t have to patch any of ya up after it’s over with,” retorted Nathan.

“Hey! We don’t get hurt that much.”

“Yeah, right,” said Nathan picking up a book and opening it. “JD, knife wound, bullet wound. Vin strangled, hit on the head, dislocated shoulder, bruises, cuts. Buck, sword wounds, busted leg, several bullet grazes. Ezra, dislocated shoulder, more than once, grazes, cuts, bruises, concussion. Josiah, shot in the leg, concussion, grazes in one part of his body or another. Chris, bullet wound, twisted ankle, shot in the leg, cuts, bruises, concussion, knife wound, poisoned and basically beat to a pulp.” Nathan closed the book with a slam and looked angrily at the young man. “And that’s just in the last year alone.”

“Ya didn’t say anythin’ about yourself, Nathan,” interjected JD.

“Never mind about me,” snapped Nathan guiltily. “Just make sure ya don’t get hurt!” Nathan then walked away to see about the babe.

JD eyed him confused. He did not have an inkling of what just happened. “Uh, okay,” answered JD.

Chris had awoken to the voices, but kept his eyes closed as his listened to their conversation. His heart beat frantically at the thought that Judge Williams was on his way to Four Corners and bringing with him others who were witnesses of the tragedy.

But it was not the Judge or his men that Chris was fearful of. It was the fact that his friends and family might be in danger because of something he did a long time ago. It did not sit right with him, and unbeknownst to the others, he was going to do something about it.

Unfortunately, his body had other ideas and Chris found himself weak at the moment. But Chris Larabee was determined not to give up trying. He lay there with his eyes closed planning and waiting for the opportune moment.

****************************************************************************************************************************

Chapter 11

Mark Crandall and his men stood on hill outside of Four Corners, looking at the trail that led into town. They had stayed outside of town as their agreement with the lawmen of Four Corners. But it would not be for long.

Crandall had sent one of his men into town earlier and a telegram was waiting for them. It was from Judge Williams stating that he would be in Four Corners in the next day or so and he was bringing the Sheriff and his deputy with him.

Crandall folded the message and put it into his pocket. He then turned to his men who were busily cleaning up camp. “Well, boys,” he said with delight in his voice. “It looks the Judge is on his way. But I got other plans in mind.”

He then walked over to the one dressed in buckskins and said, “Joe, I need to go to town and scout around.”

“What am I lookin’ fer?” questioned Joe.

“Larabee. Find out where they have ‘im stashed. I want ‘im before the Judge arrives.”

“Why? Ain’t the Judge gon’na help us?”

“No, I don’t think he is. I think he might try to renege on the bounty. He got his sheriff and deputy with him. What would he need to pay us for?”

“Yeah, I get cha, Mark. Okay. I’ll ride out now. I should be back ‘fore dark.”

“Great! That’ll give us some time to get our plan ready,” answered Crandall smiling wickedly.

The four men watched Joe mount his palomino and ride off towards the town of Four Corners.

****************************************************************************************************************************

Chris awoke to find that he was alone in the boarding house room. It seemed that Mapiya, Nathan and his son was gone. He figured they probably went to get something to eat and he had no fear that Nathan and the boys would look after Mapiya and his son.

He took a deep breath and sat up on the bed, a pain stabbed his side as he did and he almost doubled over as it washed over him.

Once the pain settled, he swung his legs over the bed and placed his bare feet onto the hardwood floor of his room. Looking around, he tried to find where his clothes and gun were placed. He finally spied them across the room on the small chair that was part of the boarding house room he rented.

“Well,” he thought to himself. “There’s no time like now.” He rose slowly from the bed, as the coverlet that covered his naked body almost dropped to the floor. Quickly grabbing it, he pulled it around his body and shuffled slowly to where his clothes and weapon lay.

When he reached his destination, sweat dripped from his body and his heart pounded with fervor. He reached for his goals and started to dress slowly. He hoped he would be gone before the others came back.

He was suddenly saddened at this thought. He knew Mapiya would be hurt, no angry at his absence. But he knew it was all for the best. He needed to protect his family and he knew he was a danger to them, to them all.

As he finished dressing, he strapped on his holster and placed his gun in it. He then grabbed his duster and hat and placed them on. Standing up straight he opened the door and walked out into the corridor. He would take the back exit and make his way to the stables for his horse.

He thought about his plan and knew it was take some doing. But he was a determined man and his rage at what would happen to his family if he failed.

He took the stairs carefully, keeping his hat down low over his face. He hoped he was not too late to prevent what he thought would be a disastrous outcome to his family and that included the boys.

****************************************************************************************************************************

JD watched as the one o’clock stagecoach pulled into the small town of Four Corners.

He knew Judge Williams with his two men were to arrive today and Judge Travis had sent him to meet with them and bring them to the hotel first and then to him.

As the stagecoach stopped, the door opened and an elderly man, much the age of Judge Travis stepped out. He was dressed much like the Judge only his face was sterner, more uncaring looking unlike Judge Travis. Or so he thought.

“Judge Williams?”

“Yes?”

“I’m JD Dunne, Sheriff of Four Corners,” said JD putting out his hand.

The Judge looked at his hand and smirked. “You? You’re the sheriff of this backwater town?” said the Judge with disdain.

“Yeah, I am,” said JD, not liking the tone in the man’s voice. “I was told to take ya to the hotel so that ya can get settled and then take ya to see Judge Travis.”

“Very well, young man. Please do immediately,” he turning to the door of the stagecoach.

As he did, two men exited the coach. One was a burly man, with brown hair. He wore a sheriff’s badge on his large chest. JD looked at the man’s face hidden under the brown rim hat. The man had the look of a hardened and deadly man. Not a man of the law.

The next man stepping out of the stagecoach was no different. JD did not think these two men were the type of men to uphold the law, but the type to break it.

“Mr. Dunne, this is Sheriff Reed from Broken Bow and his deputy George Lucas,” explained Judge Williams.

“Sheriff, Deputy,” answered JD nodding towards them.

The men nodded back slightly, almost as if they were ignoring JD.

“Well, young man, please show us to our rooms and then I would like to see Judge Travis.”

“Yes, sir,” said JD sarcastically, which was not lost on the Judge. JD then led them down the street, as they grabbed their bags that the stagecoach driver had left on the ground and followed the young sheriff towards the hotel.

***************************************************************************************************************************

Nathan, Mapiya and the young babe sat in the clinic, enjoying the meal that Mary Travis had brought to them from her home. Mary stayed with the trio, all of them eating in comparable quiet.

Mary’s eyes were constantly going to the babe at Mapiya’s side in the cradle. She smiled as she saw the spiked blond hair of Chris Larabee on the baby’s head and the brown eyes of his mother Mapiya. Chris was a lucky man to have found family again. She knew how much the gunslinger had suffered from the lost of his previous family and finding out how much Ella Gaines was part of that tragic event.

“I will…bring Emo'ôhtavo vo'e food. He must eat,” said Mapiya as she picked up Heoveaenohe.

“We will, Mapiya,” said Nathan. “The rest right now will do ‘im good.”

“Yes,” interjected Mary. “You and Chris have been through a lot these past two years and while you were gone, Chris was never the same. But now you’re back and you’re all together I think things are going to get better.”

Mapiya took Mary’s hand into hers and said, “Thank…you, Miss Mary. You have been a good friend to my husband.”

Mary bowed her head slightly in embarrassment. She was happy for Chris and for his family.

“Now,” said Mary removing her hand gently from Mapiya. “Let’s finish eating and then we can go see that stubborn man of yours.”

***************************************************************************************************************************

JD ran into the saloon where he knew he would find most of the other seven sitting and drinking.

“Vin! Buck!” he said running up to the table where they sat. “Judge Williams just arrived into town with his men.”

Vin raised his eyes in consternation. He then turned to his friends at the table. “Well, it’s time, boys.”

“Ezra, you sure about this?” asked Buck turning his worried eyes to the gambler.

“Mr. Wilmington, please give me some credit. I have reviewed the plan in its entirety and I could not determine any flaws in it.”

“But will it work?” questioned Buck again annoyed at the gambler’s confidence.

Ezra sighed and rolled his eyes exasperated upward. “Mr. Wilmington, trust me.”

“Not as far as I can throw you, Ezra,” replied Buck smiling.

Ezra shot a glare at the man and continued. “Mr. Tanner, I would suggest that you place a guard on Mr. Larabee’s abode. We would not want any surprises.”

“I’ll get Kovaahe to set up two guards on his door and one in the room,” replied Vin thoughtfully.

“Mr. Dunne, please keep an eye on the Judge and his friends and keep us appraised of their whereabouts,” said Ezra shooing the young man away.

JD sneered at him, but did as he was told, mumbling something about how he was no messenger boy.

“And what will I be doing, Ez?” asked Buck.

“Yeah, what about me?” asked Josiah.

“You, I and Josiah will be putting our plan into motion. Come along, gentlemen,” he said standing up. “Time to go.”

They all filed out of the saloon, Ezra, Buck and Josiah going one way and Vin going the other.

****************************************************************************************************************************

Joe had rode into town about an hour ago. He stood on the railing of the hitching post outside of the saloon and heard some people talking about Larabee staying in his room at the boarding house. He also heard that he was injured and sick. He knew that Mark was going to be pleased.

It was then that he saw the sheriff of Four Corners leading three men towards a house down the street. He knew one of them was Judge Williams and as they passed him, he pulled his hat further down on his head, hoping that they did not see them.

Damn! He knew Mark was not going to like this. They would have to step up their plan to snatch Larabee before the Judge did.

As soon as he was sure they were gone, he walked quickly back to where his horse was tied. He needed to let Mark know fast.

****************************************************************************************************************************

Chris had got out of town with relative ease. He had only one incident in which he almost bumped into one of Kovaahe’s men, but it seemed he did not notice him, or he hoped he did not.

He was halfway to his cabin, when he felt himself becoming dizzy and stopped Pony in his tracks. He needed to get back to his home where he had the things he needed to start his plan.

As soon as he felt the dizziness pass, he nudged Pony onward, keeping him at a slow gallop.

His mind wandered to the images of his wife and son and a soft smile formed on his face. His son. He could not believe it, even now, after spending time holding the infant. Yellow Hawk. It was a good Cheyenne name and he knew his heart would be strong since he was a Cheyenne and a Larabee.

He thoughts went to the past two years. Sometimes he wished that he had stayed with the Cheyenne, made a life with them. But when he thought Mapiya and his child lost, there was nothing there for him. But now he wished he had stayed. Mapiya and his child would have sooner or later come there and they could have made a life among the Cheyenne. It would have kept them safe and kept his past at bay.

No. He could not think of what ifs. He had to concentrate on keeping his family safe. He rode onward trying to reach one of the places he felt safe.

****************************************************************************************************************************

Judge Williams, Sheriff Reed and Deputy Lucas all sat in chairs facing Judge Travis’ desk.

Judge Travis eyed the men, feeling the same way as JD did. These men did not look like men of the law. To Travis, they looked like the type of men he had sent behind bars during his career.

“Judge Williams,” said Travis leaning over the desk and extending his hand in greeting.

Williams took the man’s hand and shook it. He felt the strength that Judge Travis emanated within his grasp.

“Judge Travis, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. I have heard a lot about you.”

“Good things, I hope.”

“Yes. Quite. Now, sorry to rush the pleasantries, but I was told that you have the criminal Christopher Larabee within your possession.”

“A man is not a criminal until he is tried by a jury of his peers and proven guilty of the crime.”

“Yes, if that is what you wish to believe.”

“That is the law, Judge and Larabee will have the same rights as any other man.”

“You are quite correct, Judge Travis. But you must understand what this man did.”

“From what I read, there is some doubt as to his guilt in this matter.”

“There is no doubt in my mind, Judge Travis. He killed my son and he’s going to pay the hangman,” said Judge Williams vehemently.

“That is up to a jury, Judge Williams,” said Travis emphatically.

“Of course, of course,” said Judge Williams quickly trying allay the other Judge’s concern. “Now, can you tell me where you have Larabee? In jail, I suppose.”

“No, not really. I have him under house arrest in his room.”

“House arrest? But he’s a criminal?”

“That may be Judge Williams, but right now he is a very sick man and I have him under house arrest until he is well enough to stand trial,” explained Judge Travis.

“Yeah, he has to stand trial in Broken Bow,” interrupted Sheriff Reed.

“Not necessarily, Sheriff Reed. I spoke with the Governor of Nebraska. He says that a trial can be held here since the necessary witnesses are here now.”

“Witnesses?” questioned Judge Williams.

“Yes, Judge. The ones you brought yourself. Sheriff Reed and Deputy Lucas.”

“But that is preposterous! How can you expect the townsfolk of Four Corners to be objective when the person standing trial is someone who has saved them from destruction too many times.”

“So, I see you have heard of Mr. Larabee’s accomplishments in this territory.”

“I am aware of them, although I don’t know the validity of them,” sneered Judge Williams.

“Well, Judge, whether you believe them or not, he has saved this town many a times, but that will not stand in the way of justice and justice will be done. So in the meantime, I suggest you have a nice meal and rest. I will set up everything and let you know when we are ready,” said Judge Travis dismissing them.

Judge Williams glared angrily at the man. He would have to play it his way, but not for long. “Very well, Judge Travis. But I will send a protest to the Governor on his decision.”

“That is your privilege. Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me, I have a lot of work to do.”

The three men stood up and nodded their good-byes. They then turned and walked out of Judge Travis’ temporary office.

Once they were gone, Travis sighed in relief. He did not know what Chris had got himself into but he knew it was not good.

***************************************************************************************************************************

Vin walked over to the boarding house with Kovaahe and three of his men following closely behind.

He told them what he needed them to do and of course, Kovaahe agreed without argument. He was glad that he could take part in some action in protecting his blood brother.

As they reached the door to Chris’ room, Vin had a funny feeling in the pit of his stomach. Something was just not right here.

He turned the doorknob and pushed the door open.

“Shit!” he exclaimed as his eyes told him everything.

The bed was empty and Chris’ clothes and guns were missing.

“Damn that ornery, no-good, stubborn jackass!” cursed Vin.

Kovaahe did not understand the words, but he knew that Vin was angry.

“What has happened?” he asked Vin in Cheyenne.

“He’s gone,” said Vin turning around and walking back down the stairs. Kovaahe and the others followed, confused and worried.

Vin met Nathan, Mapiya with her baby and Mary Travis walking towards the boarding house from the clinic.

“Vin?” questioned Nathan when he saw the look on the Texan’s face and how fast he was walking.

“He’s gone, Nate!”

“Who? Chris?”

“Yeah. He must of sneaked out of town. Damn his ornery hide! Don’t he know how stupid this is?”

“I think he’s concerned about his family and the bounty, Vin,” said Nathan thoughtfully.

“We gotta go find ‘im, Nate and bring ‘im back. Those bounty hunters are still out there and now we have Judge Williams here too.”

“The one that put the bounty on ‘im?”

“Yeah, the one and the same. This is all goin’ to hell, Nathan.”

“Don’t worry, Vin. We’ll find him. Let me take Mapiya and the baby back to the clinic and I’ll meet ya at the saloon,” said Nathan turning Mapiya and her child back towards the clinic.

“Nathan?” queried Mapiya softly.

“Don’t worry, Mapiya. Everything’s going to be alright,” answered Nathan taking her by the hand and leading her away.

“I’ll stay with them, Nathan,” piped up Mary.

“Thanks, Mary,” replied Nathan.

“Kovaahe, go with them. Keep them safe,” said Vin.

Kovaahe eyed him suspiciously, but nodded anyway. He was of Mapiya’s mind. Their actions were concerning him and he knew it had something to do with the trouble his brother was in.

Vin watched Mapiya and the others walk away and walked quickly away to find the others. This was not going well. He needed to tell Ezra that they needed a new plan.

***************************************************************************************************************************

Chapter 12

Chris had made it to his cabin without falling off his horse, although there were tense moments when he almost did.

As soon as he was in front of his little shack, he cautiously climbed off his horse and tied the reins to the front porch railing. He then pushed the door open and walked as quickly as his tired body could go inside the house.

Once there, he sat heavily in one of the chairs that sat at the small eating table. He breathed heavily, holding onto his ribs as he felt the room start to steady. He knew he needed to get up and start packing.

Chris had been formulating his plan since he left the boarding house. He knew the bounty hunters were still around. They would not be giving up their prize so easily when they had come so far.

As for Judge Williams and his men, Chris knew the law meant nothing to this man as far as Chris Larabee was concerned. To stay and wait for any kind of justice would only make his family suffer at watching him hang. As Vin had told him once before and as he felt the same way, he did not want to be strung up like some mangy dog. He was not afraid of death. But he would die on his feet like a man and not some animal.

As he thought about the people he called family and his wife and child, he knew that the men that were after him would not have a second thought about hurting or even killing one of them to get to him. No. He would not let that happen. Not again.

As he shuffled to the old trunk that sat in the corner of the small one room shack, he considered his next steps and knew what he needed lay inside that trunk.

****************************************************************************************************************************

Mapiya, the babe, Kovaahe and Mary sat around in the clinic of Nathan Jackson awaiting his return.

Mapiya knew something was wrong and Nathan had finally told her that Emo'ôhtavo vo'e had gone, where they did not know.

Mapiya immediately upon hearing this was ready to pursue her husband and take her child with her, but Nathan and Mary talked her out of it, explaining to her that the others would bring her husband back.

But they did not understand Cheyenne women. They were strong women and usually fought with their men when needed. They were not the kind of women to be pampered or could not protect themselves. Many times, they fought by the sides of their men, insuring that their people and village was safe. Mapiya was one of these women.

She watched as the white woman called Mary, stood staring out of the window. Mapiya did not know what she was looking for, but she knew it was probably not something good.

When Mapiya had first arrived, she felt something from the blonde white woman that seemed there was much more between her and Emo'ôhtavo vo'e. She saw it in her eyes when she first met her and showed her their son. She would have to ask Emo'ôhtavo vo'e when she found him and she would. There was no doubt in her mind. She had survived much and so had he. She would not let anything stand in her way of bringing him home to her.

**************************************************************************************************************************

Vin, Nathan, Ezra and Buck were gathered on the boardwalk outside the boarding house. They had all went separately in search of any information leading to the direction that Chris Larabee would have taken. They were waiting on Josiah and JD to return with whatever information they found and hopefully it would be information to locate which way Chris had gone.

Vin had found out from Yosemite that Chris had taken his horse from the livery, but he was not there when he did. Because of too much traffic in their town since it had become so civilized, it was hard to distinguish any hoof prints from one another. He only knew that three riders headed west which was towards Chris’ place and four headed out of town towards south that led to Purgatory. He could not sense which way Chris had went and this was unusual. It was almost as if Chris had cut off their connection, taking away his ability to feel which way Chris would have gone.

Buck was pacing up and down in front of the boardwalk, impatiently. He did not understand how Vin could stay so calm in light of all that was happening. Chris was gone, accused of murder, now an escaped felon. They had a vengeful father who also happens to be a Judge and carting two unsavory lawmen with him prowling for their blond leader and a bunch of Cheyenne ready to go on the warpath if Chris was not found soon. Things were not going well for them.

Ezra thought his plan would have worked if it had a chance. But with the disappearance of their illustrious leader, things had changed. Judge Williams still was not informed of that fact that Mr. Larabee had absconded from the small town of Four Corners, thanks to Mr. Dunne, but Judge Travis was and had specifically ordered them to find the wayward blond and return him to face Judge Williams’ accusations.

As far as Ezra was concerned, if he was Larabee, he would have kept running. At least he would have been safe. Ezra did not trust the scales of justice as much as everyone else did. He had seen what the Blind Lady of Justice could not see. The phrase ‘guilty until proven innocent’ came to mind often.

He thought Vin was also of the same mind. Framed for a murder he did not commit, the man still had a bounty on his head that Judge Travis and the others knew about. And although Vin had saved the Judge’s town on more than one occasion Ezra still did not see any actions on the Judge’s part to get that bounty removed from what they knew was an innocent man. Of course, the Judge had small influence when it came to the State of Texas and therein was the problem.

He still thought his original plan was the right way to go and if they found Chris, they could still implement it. But that was the big issue right now. Where in the hell was Chris Larabee?

****************************************************************************************************************************

Joe knew Mark was not going to be happy with the news he was bringing. It was not going to be easy to get Larabee from underneath the watchful eyes of his friends.

As he started to get on his horse, he saw one of the men that confronted them in the saloon coming down the street walking very fast with the one he knew as the young sheriff.

He turned his back quickly, pulling his hat further down his face, obscuring it from the two passing men.

He heard the young sheriff say, “With Chris gone, what we gon’na do now?”

“I don’t know, JD. I know Judge Williams ain’t going to be happy about that and those bounty hunters are still out there. I pray that God watches over our lost brother and we find him before anyone else does,” replied the big preacher.

“Chris is probably just worried about his wife and son. I know I would be.”

“Yeah, he probably is, JD. But at least Mapiya and her son are safe up at Nathan’s clinic until all this gets sorted out,” replied the older man as they walked by.

Joe could not believe their good fortune. Larabee had escaped his house arrest and now it was open hunting on him and his wife and son were at the clinic. A planned formed into Joe’s head. A wife and son would be perfect bait to bring Larabee out of hiding. He could not wait until he saw Mark to tell him the good news. After all, they still had a $2,000 bounty to collect and it seemed that Larabee gave them a way to get it.

Once he was sure the two men were gone, Joe mounted his horse and galloped away out of town towards the camp that held Mark and the others.

**************************************************************************************************************************

Mary watched as Mapiya and Kovaahe were busily speaking back in forth in Cheyenne. Of course, she did not understand what they were saying, but she could guess it was about Chris and it was not good.

Twice, she had watched as Mapiya motioned towards the door and twice she had watched as Kovaahe shook his head.

Mary finally wanted to get to the bottom of what was going on and said, “What is wrong, Mapiya?”

Mapiya looked at Mary startled, realizing for the first time in the past hour that she was there.

“No wrong. Need to find husband,” she said determinedly, eyeing Kovaahe angrily.

“Oh, don’t worry, Mapiya,” said Mary walking over to her and taking a hold of her hands. “I’m sure the others will find Chris.”