FAITH
FAITH (after an idea by Nesciri)
Rachel stood on the porch watching for any sign
of the returning wagon. Just four hours earlier Cody and Jimmy had come tearing
into the yard. They had barely stopped their horses when they dismounted. Cody
had raced for the barn and Jimmy ran up the front steps two at a time. Teaspoon
had come out the door ready to lay into them for leaving the night before without
a word as to where they were headed. Jimmy had breathlessly told them what had
happened the previous night. How they had gone looking for Kid, how Buck had
tracked him to an Indian burial ground, and how they found Kid standing outside
the entrance to the sacred ground. He had explained that they couldn't make
it back before dark and how they had decided to camp. He did his best to tell
them about Yellow Crane and what she had done to them.
By the time he got to the part about the curse and how she stole Buck's spirit they were looking at him sideways. He knew it sounded incredible but he kept going. He told them about the prayer circle and what they had done the night before. He got to the part about Buck being sick just as soon as Cody got the wagon ready to go. Despite the wild story, they believed Buck was very ill and needed to get home. Rachel hurriedly tossed in some blankets and fresh water.
Teaspoon had gone with the boys and now Rachel was
left to pace and worry. She should have gone with them. Damn, Teaspoon had talked
her into staying and now she was angry with herself for listening to him. When
the wagon finally came into view along with several riders on horseback, she
relaxed. At least they were all home and now they would be safe.
Rachel ran into the yard to meet the wagon. Cody
was driving and Teaspoon sat in the back with Buck who was wrapped under several
quilts. As she approached the wagon, Teaspoon shook his head at her. "He's
not doing well, Rachel. He's got high fever, chills and he's not talking sense."
Jimmy and Ike carried Buck inside to his bunk as Rachel came to lean over the
boy.
"He's probably hallucinating. We need to get his fever down. Let's get some of these clothes off him." Rachel lifted up Buck's shirt and gasped at what she saw. Long jagged welts covered Buck's chest and stomach. They rose up pink and sore against his brown skin. It looked as if some animal clawed him in several places. "Good Lord, what happened to him?" Rachel looked up with questioning eyes as she gently ran her fingers over the wounds.
Buck woke to the sound of voices and when he opened
his eyes, he saw he was in the bunkhouse. Rachel had a hold of his shirt and
he could see Ike staring at him. He felt panic set in and he was having difficulty
breathing. His thoughts ran together and came so fast he couldn't concentrate
on any one thing. He thought about Red Bear and how he told him so long ago
that the spirits would punish him for being disobedient. He thought about Yellow
Crane and the curse and burial grounds and not having a spirit. Buck knew what
was happening now. A person without a spirit could not live. He was dying. He
tried to explain to everyone what was happening but he could only think in Kiowa.
He needed to get away from them and go someplace safe to pray. He instantly
thought of Red Bear and knew he needed to get to him. Red Bear would know what
to do and would protect him from Yellow Crane. Red Bear promised he would always
watch over him. He needed to go home.
Buck tried to sit up and felt several hands trying
to push him back onto the bed. He flailed against the many arms that were trying
to hold him down. Someone had him by the middle and wouldn't let him up. When
he turned his head, he felt an arm across his neck and he didn't like it. He
picked his head up and bit into soft flesh. He heard Rachel yelp in pain and
felt her arm jerk away. Teaspoon took a hold of his chin and forced his head
back so he could no longer move it. He kicked his legs trying to shake his attackers
off him.
"Take his boots off!" Teaspoon ordered
and Kid quickly pulled one boot off and then another.
"Dammit, Teaspoon, what's the matter with him?"
Jimmy growled. It was taking all his strength to hold Buck's left leg. He almost
lost his grip as Buck arched his back and lifted himself off the bed.
"We're gonna have to tie him down. Lou, tear
up some sheets and bring them here." Lou ran over to the bunks and tore
back the blankets on two of the beds. She ripped off the sheets and started
to tear them in long strips. Cody came over and used his knife to finish the
job. They ran back to Buck and bound his hands and feet against the wooden rails
of the bed. When Buck realized what they were doing, he screamed. It was the
scream of a trapped animal without words but conveyed enough misery and heartbreak
that the others cringed. What was wrong with him?
"Is that gonna hold him?" Cody was unsure about the sight in front of him. The bed creaked and strained with every pull Buck gave it.
It looked as if he might dislocate a bone as he
twisted and pulled at the restraints, wrenching his body into every imaginable
position. No one answered Cody as they all watched Buck fight the ties that
held him. Tears ran out his eyes and he continued to yell in Kiowa. Suddenly,
Buck let loose a loud piercing cry that rose and fell in a horrific crescendo.
Everyone jumped and moved away from the bed. Lou felt like she was going to
faint and grabbed onto Kid for support. Ike paled a little while Jimmy looked
stunned. Cody prayed he would never hear another. It was an Indian war cry.
After a few minutes Teaspoon finally spoke. "Cody, go get the Doctor."
