Chapter 35

Thomas Murray stood back in the shadows, watching. He'd been hoping that the two riders would have left the creek area by the time he'd gotten there but he should have known the law was too determined to let a prisoner escape without being hunted down like an animal. He had respect for animals - they had provided him with nourishment, warmth, and money for all these years now. He knew how they behaved, how they moved. The old man was impressed with the tracking skills of the long haired Indian. He moved like an animal, the way he crept across the ground, seeing and hearing things a normal person wasn't capable of. Under normal circumstances he would have been glad to help a man of his kind out, even if he was an Indian, but these weren't normal circumstances. He'd been looking for his son for the past five years and now that he's found him, there was no way in hell he was about to let a couple two-bit deputies take him back into custody.

He’d gotten a couple hours sleep as had Joey so he was sure he would be waking up anytime now; he'd been tossing and mumbling for a while, still with the 'Lou' name. Murray had hated to leave the boy but he knew the wound would prevent him from trying to do anything but sit up. He wanted the water to clean the wound after he checked it and also to clean the blood off the coat his son had been wearing - why he would choose a light blue jacket that showed every dirty detail was beyond him.

He decided now was as good a time as any to get to work protecting his son. He needed these last two boys to leave the area and he was going to make sure it happened. "Mornin' fellas," he called, stepping into the new day's sunlight.

Buck and Charlie whirled around, guns drawn. Buck cursed under his breath; he should have heard someone approaching but he'd been so distracted looking for clues, it's no wonder the old man was upon them before he realized it.

"Take it easy, fellas," he said, holding up his hands. "See? I'm not armed, just in need of some water, kinda like you two." He held up a couple canteens in emphasis.

Seeing no gun belt, Buck and Charlie slowly lowered their weapons but Buck was still hesitant to reholster his gun. The old man before them seemed harmless enough, Buck decided, even though he was rough in appearance. It looked as if he hadn't seen a town in quite a while; his clothes were tattered looking, worn, weathered, and his hair and beard were gray and long. Sunburn on his face indicated he'd spent a great deal of time out in the sun.

Considering how quiet he’d been to be able to approach them unnoticed, Buck figured the old man must spend a great deal of time in the valley. He was certain the man knew his way around the area. As he had been taking in the old man’s appearance, one thing Buck hadn’t seen was an animal; he wondered how the man had gotten into the valley.

As if reading his mind, the old man said, "My mount can't make it down that trail no more so I have to come on foot. I trap hereabouts so I know the area pretty well. We need water and this is the only source in the area. What might you boys be doing hereabouts?" Casually, he stooped down and started filling one of the canteens.

Buck saw how he walked on strong legs; they weren't the legs of an old man, more like the legs of a survivor, one who'd been through and seen his share of tough times. For some reason, this old guy reminded Buck of Teaspoon - there was more to him than met the eye. Just because he was old didn't mean he should be counted out of anything.

That thought made him bring his gun back into view. Buck replied, "We're just passing through and needed some water.” He kept fingering his weapon; there was something about the way this man appeared as if out of nowhere and had come upon them without his hearing anything that had Buck bothered. He didn’t trust the man and hoped Charlie felt the same way. But hearing a voice next to him begin to speak made him cringe as he realized Charlie was clueless of Buck’s reaction to their company.

“We’re looking for someone,” Charlie said, not understanding why Buck was lying to the man. This was their chance to hopefully find out something about the Kid. “We came through here with some others men yesterday and now our friend is missing. You seen anyone around?"

Despite wanting to gag the young man next to him, now that the question had been asked, Buck watched the old man's face closely, trying to read what he was thinking.

The man looked at him without blinking an eye and said, "As a matter of fact, I did run into this young fella just before dawn. I tried to ask if he was alright but he was mumbling somethin' to himself that I couldn't catch then kept walkin'. The boy was hurt too, needed help but didn't want none from me."

"What did he look like?" Charlie asked eagerly, not noticing the death look Buck was sending his way.

"'Bout your height, blue coat, had blood on it. His shirt was bloody too and he was holdin' his arm real funny like."

"It's him," Charlie said excitedly. "Where'd you see him, mister?"

"At the top near where the main path starts; had to figure the hill was the only way out of this area, either that or climbin' that rock wall yonder and I don't think he was in any condition to do that." Murray laughed at his own joke, knowing full well that no one could climb that rocky side of the valley.

"Let's go," Charlie told Buck as he ran to saddle his horse. "And thanks for the help, mister."

"Anytime, young man, and good luck to ya." Murray picked up one of the canteens and took a long drink from it while he waited. The blonde deputy was on his horse instantly but it was the Indian that was holding back. Finally some words in a hushed tone from the younger man had the Indian also approaching his mount. Murray watched as the two boys mounted up then took off. He waved a farewell to them. "And good riddence to ya both once and for all." He chuckled once again as he took his canteens and headed into the brush, toward the cave where his son lay waiting for his father to take care of him.

Kid leaned heavily against the rock wall, holding his throbbing shoulder. It had taken every fiber of his being to get himself out of that cave. He had watched through slit eyes as Murray had gathered a couple canteens together then left the cave. After making sure he didn't hear any footsteps approaching, Kid took advantage of the opportunity presented his way. It wasn't easy as each movement sent shots of pain radiating through his body but it had to be done. He had a wife waiting for him at home and Kid had a promise to keep.

Feeling lightheaded, he let his legs slide down to the dirt below. He was a good number of feet away from the cave entrance and hidden by the brush growing on the ledge - he would be safe here for a while.

Still holding his shirt, coat and hat in his hand, not wanting to waste time putting them on before his escape, Kid now put the hat on to shield himself from the bright sunlight overhead. Wincing as he tried to slip his injured arm into his shirt, he gritted his teeth until the difficult task was accomplished. He then gingerly placed his arm into the makeshift sling hanging from his neck. Kid felt too weak to even move his eyes downward to see if the wound had started bleeding again.

How he wished he had one of those canteens he'd seen Murray holding. He'd have to find water soon or he'd never get anywhere. He tried to push himself up but fell back down to the ground.

"Maybe I'll just rest here for a few minutes ..." he muttered to himself as his eyes drifted shut.