“The rain hasn‘t eased. It‘s worse,” Alan commented at dawn. Outside the cave entrance, he could see a blanket of water.

“Yep. Give it another hour, if it hasn’t eased by then, we’ll go hunting anyway. The rain will add some fun to the chase.” The men exchanged a smile. The thrill of the hunt was only part of the enjoyment. The rest came once they had their quarry.

**********

Buck slid his arm across J.D.’s shoulders. The youth glanced up at his older friend, but said nothing. When they had awoken, Nathan and Chris had been leaning over Vin. The pair hadn’t been able to wake Tanner, despite a concerted effort. The sharpshooter’s body was reacting to the trauma it had been through - reacting badly.

Ezra stepped forward. “Is there anything you would like us to do?” His voice sounded loud and echoed in the deathly quiet chamber.

Neither Nathan nor Chris answered. They continued to fuss. Ezra couldn’t be sure what they were doing. Whatever it was, he prayed that it would work.

Twenty very tense minutes followed. Finally, there was movement from the mass on the ground. Relieved words burst from both Nathan and Chris.

Buck squeezed J.D.’s shoulder. “See, I told you he’d be okay.”

Finally, Nathan rose to his feet and moved toward his companions who were now seated at the entrance to the cave.

“He’s awake,” the healer whispered. The statement contained elements of truth. Vin was slipping in and out of consciousness, but at least it was a good sign.

“Nathan, what happened? He was okay a few hours ago. I mean, he was laughing at Ezra and the bats.”

Nathan nodded. “Shock comes on without warning. We have to keep him warm. I want to try and get some food into him. Help to build up his strength.” The entire group turned to look at the still tracker. Chris was seated beside his friend, talking softly to him. “I think he can hear Chris. He’s responded a couple of times to things Chris’ said.”

“Will he be alright?” J.D. whispered.

Nathan took a deep breath. “It could go either way,” the healer answered, honestly. Josiah lowered his head and began to pray. Ezra stared at Nathan in shock. When they had rescued the tracker from the hangman’s noose yesterday, he had honestly thought his friend was out of danger.

Buck frowned, his eyes drawn to Larabee. “Does Chris know?”

Nathan nodded. The healer, too, was concerned about their leader. He knew how close the tracker and gunfighter had become. They were one another’s lifelines, in many ways. The physical survival of one was linked directly to the emotional survival of the other.

“But he was okay a couple of hours ago,” J.D. repeated, overwhelmed and unable to fathom what he was being told.

“I’m doing everything I can. Look, he could use something to eat. How about all of you head out and see what you can find? I know it’s raining pretty hard, but I really need to get some food into him.”

Buck continued to stare at Chris. He didn’t want to think about how Larabee would react if Vin died. Turning, he inclined his head. “Come on, boys. The four of us will go find something. What would be best, Nathan?” The four men rose to their feet.

“It doesn’t matter. I can make broth with anything.”

Buck, Josiah and Ezra turned to go. Only J.D. lingered. The youth couldn’t take his eyes from Vin’s face.

“J.D.,” Nathan prompted. “They could probably use your help. Vin’s taught you a lot about finding food.”

J.D. dragged his eyes to the healer. “He isn’t going to die. I mean, we got to Purgatory in time, Nathan. It ain’t right if he dies. Vin‘s strong. He won‘t die.”

Nathan struggled to find an appropriate response. “We just have to wait. Shock comes on quickly... it can pass just as quickly. Go on, now.” The healer’s words were gentle. J.D. swallowed and then turned and joined his companions who were collected at the entrance to the cave.

“The others have headed out into the rain to find us something to eat,” Chris whispered to Tanner. Vin’s eyelids flickered in response. Larabee squeezed the callused hand in his fist. “Who knows what they’ll find. If we’re lucky, Ezra will come across a skunk.” Chris forced a smile. Tanner’s eyes opened briefly. “It’s still raining, Vin. You said it could set in for a couple of days. Thanks to that wood stash you had, we’ve enough wood for a week.” Again Vin’s eyes opened, this time remaining open for several seconds. His expression was blank. There was no sign of recognition on his face, but the fact that he was responding to Larabee’s voice spoke volumes.

“Keep talking to him, Chris.”

**********

Ezra quickly understood why Buck had difficulty maintaining his footing. The earth, which rain had neglected for so many months, had transformed into a mucky and slippery carpet. The mud was inches thick, the solid component fast losing the battle against liquefying. The driving rain had reduced vision to less than six feet - two feet considering Ezra had to lower the brim of his hat to protect his eyes from the water that was falling with such force it was stinging his face.

No living soul should be out in such weather, Ezra decided. However, he understood why Buck had suggested they all come. Finding food was going to be difficult. Buck and J.D. had failed yesterday. They couldn’t today. Vin needed something to eat to help him survive. There was no other way of putting it.

With annoyance, Standish noted that J.D. didn’t seem to be having as much difficulty negotiating a path. Rather, the young sheriff was powering forward without any visible inconvenience. The heavy rain was striking Dunne and rolling off his suit jacket in small waterfalls. Like Standish, Wilmington and Sanchez, the brim of the boy’s small bowler was pulled down well over his face, his inexperienced eyes roving the ground in front of him.

J.D. was on a mission. He had to find food. Nathan was right. Vin had taught him how. Now, he had to do it for Vin.

The lone figures were the only sign of life in the area. Every other creature had sought shelter. A streak of lightning flashed across the darkening sky. The storm was getting worse. Despite the fact that it was dawn, it was impossible to see the sun for the grey mass above that stretched as far as the eye could see in all directions.

The group of four was only a couple of minutes from the cave that sheltered their peers and yet a gap had opened between the determined boy and the other three men. Worse, the gap was widening with each step. Ezra attempted to increase his pace, but to no avail. With each footfall, he slipped and slid like he was walking on ice.

Thunder rumbled and the wind picked up, buffeting the group. Buck’s left foot shot out from beneath him. The scoundrel went down onto one knee with a curse. Unawares, Dunne continued on his way.

“J.D.!” Buck called, struggling to his feet. Ezra and Josiah stopped. J.D. kept walking, the torrential rain drowning out his floundering friend‘s voice. “J.D.!”

The youth picked up the faint cry and glanced back over his shoulder in time to see Josiah fall. Dunne strode back offering his hand. “Ya all right?“”

“Yeah,“ Josiah grunted. “Never seen it like this. Maybe we should head back.“

“We have to find some food for Vin,” J.D. yelled over the driving rain.

Dunne turned and set off again, his feet appearing to be drawn to any solid piece of earth. The sky above roared and lit with lightning. Ezra shook his head in disbelief. There was no way they were going to find food out in this!

**********

Vin groaned softly. His eyes opened. He stared up at Larabee, his brow creasing with confusion. For the first time, he appeared to be fully conscious.

“You’re okay. We’re in a cave on the way back from Purgatory,” Chris explained.

Vin blinked. The confusion remained. Larabee squeezed his hand. Tanner’s eyes closed, but he applied the slightest pressure to Chris’ hand as he did so. Larabee’s chest heaved with relief.

Nathan stared at the gunfighter puzzled.

“He’s with us,” Larabee whispered. Chris stared down at Vin‘s pale face and thanked Josiah‘s God that his friend was improving. “Shouldn’t be long before the others return with food... I hope.”

Nathan and Chris’ eyes widened. Neither had expected a response from the ill man.

“No, I guess not,” Chris answered, quietly. “Have you got any advice I could pass on to them?”

Nathan Jackson’s face lit up with a wide smile. That answer showed conscious thought. It wasn’t simply a response. The shock had passed. Tanner’s body was winning the battle.

Chris’ eyes flashed true affection, his own face splitting with a smile.

“Why are you grinnin’ at me like that?”

Chris gripped Vin’s hand tightly. “Because you had us a bit worried this morning,” the gunfighter whispered. His voice was edged with more emotion than he had thought he was capable of feeling these days.

Larabee snorted, but if anything, the smile widened. Vin began blinking.

“Close them eyes and get some rest, Vin,” Nathan ordered.

Tanner obeyed, not that he had a lot of choice. He was sliding down into the land of nod whether he liked it or not. Within seconds, deep, even breathing signalled that he was sleeping.

Chris looked up at Nathan, his eyes alone demanding an answer to one question.

“The danger has passed, for now,” the healer stated, carefully.

“For now?” Chris pressed.

“We just have to keep an eye on him. Like I keep saying, he lost a lot of blood the other day, and then to have gone though what he did yesterday... we just have to keep a close eye on him. Even if this rains stops, I don’t want to be moving him just yet. Maybe by the end of today, we’ll have to wait and see.”

“Whatever you think is best.”

Chris dropped his eyes to Vin. Rest, Cowboy. The gunfighter sat back against the wall, his hand still encircling his best friend’s. He told himself the connection was for Vin’s sake, but he knew that was only half the truth. The other half was the fact that he needed the connection. A connection to his sanity - a connection to the path that had allowed him do more than simply exist - a connection to a man Chris Larabee was willing to admit was more than his best friend. Chris truly loved Tanner like a brother. Years hadn’t played a part in their bond... years would in the future.

Nathan leaned over Vin and checked for any sign of fever. “He’s been lucky. Hasn’t developed a fever. Thought he would have. The wound is still clean.”

Chris didn’t respond. He closed his eyes and rested his head back against the cave wall. He felt so relieved he simply didn’t have the words to express his feelings.

“I might start getting a fire ready for when the others get back. The sooner we can get some food into Vin, the sooner he‘ll start to regain his strength.”

**********

Ahead of Josiah, Buck and Ezra, J.D. stopped and crouched.

“What is it?“ Buck shouted, stopping beside the boy and trying to shield his eyes from the driving rain.

“Them‘s tracks,” the youth pointed out.

“Huh?”

The older men crowded around the imprint in the ground. They all knew it had to be fresh. The rain was so heavy it would have washed the track away if it was longer than a few minutes old.

“Has to be someone else out in this,” Buck stated.

“Another lost soul looking for food, no doubt.”

“Maybe. Josiah, you and Ezra head back. If there’s someone lurking around, Chris and Nathan may need back up. J.D. and I’ll find us some food.”

“Watch your back,” Josiah cried.

“You too.”

***********

Alan and Jacob watched the two men trudging toward them. The merciless pair exchanged a glance and withdrew further behind the cluster of trees. All they had to do was follow these two. They would lead the bounty hunters to their five hundred dollars... then the real fun would start.

**********

Ezra and Josiah slipped and fell their way back to the warmth of the cave sheltering their companions. Both could not wait to get out of the driving rain. Neither noticed they were being followed. The noise of the storm drowned out any sound and the driving rain was able to hide the predators from view.

Ezra fell to his knees for the hundredth time. “Preacher, I am not enjoying this,” he shouted up to Josiah as the big man grabbed his arm and started to pull him to his feet.

“At least all of the bat shit has been washed off you!“ Abruptly, Josiah sensed movement behind him. Before he could react, Ezra pitched forward into the mud. Sanchez reached for his weapon, but a gun was thrust into the middle of his back, stilling his hand.

“Hello, Sunshine,” Alan shouted. Josiah glanced back over his shoulder into the face of his attacker. Sanchez contemplated twisting and attacking, but another man stepped up to Ezra and placed his revolver to the unconscious man’s head.

“Looks like I hit him a bit hard,” Jacob laughed. “Sorry about that, pard. We thought you may be hostile.”

Josiah glared at the man. “We mean you no harm. We are simply pilgrims searching for shelter. Tell your friend to get his gun out of my back so I can help my friend.”

“First, hand over your gun... as a sign of good faith,” Alan chuckled. Josiah reached down for his weapon. Jacob cocked the hammer of the gun that was nestled against Ezra’s temple. Sanchez realized he had no choice. The big man withdrew his revolver and passed it back to Alan. Jacob reached down and removed Ezra’s. The bounty hunter frowned, noting the outline under Standish’s wet sleeve. The material was clinging to the device that launched the young man’s derringer. Jacob quickly removed this weapon as well and then stepped back from Ezra.

“Pick him up,” Alan yelled at Josiah. Sanchez stumbled forward, his hand darting to Ezra’s neck. To his relief, he found a strong pulse.

“Now, take us to your friends.”

Josiah glanced up at the two grinning men. “What friends? There’s just us.”

Alan transferred his aim from Josiah to Ezra. “Your other friends. There are four of you wandering around out here and another three in one of these caves. Show us which one, or I’ll shoot him where he lays.”

Josiah assessed the man’s face. The stranger was serious. “What do you want of us?”

“We have a little business to discuss with one of your companions.” It was then that Josiah realized what was going on. These men were bounty hunters and they were after Vin. It was the only explanation. Sanchez’s face blanketed with anger.

Jacob’s weapon lowered to target Ezra as well. “You’re decision, pard.”

Josiah glanced at his fallen companion. It was Ezra’s life or Vin’s. How the hell was he supposed to make such a decision?! Father in Heaven, guide me. Josiah realized that Vin’s life was hanging in the balance. If the balance had already tipped, then Tanner was dead and risking Ezra’s life would be pointless.

The huge preacher turned his friend over gently, pulled him up into a sitting position and then lifted the smaller man up onto his powerful shoulders.

“A wise decision, pard. Just remember, both of our guns are aimed at your friend. You even look like trying something and he gets the first two bullets.”

Josiah glared at the two men and then turned and began to make his way toward the base of Simpson Range. He fell several times, each time trying to protect Ezra as he did so. What was worrying the preacher was the fact that despite all of the falls, jarring and driving rain, Standish didn’t stir.

Josiah could see the group of caves ahead. He slowed. How could he simply lead these bounty hunters straight to Vin?

“Keep going.”

“I can’t remember which one it is. They all look the same.”

“Don’t push your luck, pard. I’ll shoot your friend and enjoy it.”

“So what will stop you from shooting both of us once you get your hands on Vin?”

There was silence. Josiah stopped walking. Alan strode around to stand in front of the big man.

“All we want is the five hundred dollars. Killing you or this little peacock doesn’t interest us. We’ll shoot you if you don’t do what we ask. Once we have Tanner, you no longer interest us. Wouldn’t be worth the bullet to kill you if we already have what we came for. You aren‘t really part of the game, pard.”

Josiah studied the other man and realized that what he was saying was probably the truth. For him, it was all a game. A man’s life, reduced to some sort of perverted entertainment.

The preacher flicked his eyes ahead. If he was to save Ezra, he had to lead the bounty hunters to the cave and pray that Chris and Nathan, or Buck and J.D. would somehow get them all out of this.

**********

Vin moved restlessly. His right hand snaked up his chest rapidly. Chris watched the movement with furrowed brow. The tracker gripped at something invisible around his throat. Larabee grimaced, laid his own hand over Tanner‘s, curled his fingers around Vin’s fist and then gently guided it back down to the blanket. Chris wasn’t sure if his anxious friend was thinking about what had happened in Purgatory or worrying about what may happen in the future. Either way, Chris had promised that he wouldn’t allow Vin to hang. No matter what it took, while Chris Larabee had breath in his body, Vin would not hang!

Leaning down close to Tanner’s ear, Larabee whispered, “Relax. We’re here to mind your back. There’s no noose.”

Vin’s eyes opened a slither. He looked up at Chris’ calm blue eyes. The tracker’s eyelids fell. He was safe. Larabee was there.

Chris sat back.

“He okay?” Nathan asked, moving back into the cave. The healer had started a fire, pulling the blanket down to keep the smoke out. The article blocked out all vision beyond the cave, which was why Vin had insisted on taking it down each time they put out the fire. Tanner liked to have a clear view of the area around him so he could see anyone approaching.

“Yeah, he’s just restless.”

Nathan crouched beside his patient, reaching out to take Vin’s pulse. “It’s better. Stronger. He‘s over the worst, just so long as we keep him warm and get some food into him.”

“It came on so quickly,” Chris muttered.

“Yeah, shock does. He’s been through a lot in the last week. We’ll keep him warm and get some food into him.” Chris had lost count of the number of times Nathan had said that in the past ten minutes. It was clear that the healer was desperate to ensure both of these things happened.

“The others will find something.” Larabee placed his hand on Vin’s chest. “He feels warm enough.”

Nathan nodded his agreement. The healer turned. At that moment, the blanket at the front of the cave was drawn back and Josiah filled the opening. The huge man’s face was creased with horror.

“Josiah! What‘s wrong!” Nathan cried, rushing forward. Chris started to rise.

“We have a problem, boys.” Josiah dropped his eyes to Vin. The tracker was pale, but it was obvious the young man was still alive. Sanchez cursed his own cowardly actions. He had led the bounty hunters straight to his injured friend.

“Josiah?”

“We were ambushed.”

Larabee leapt to his feet. “Where are the others?!“

Josiah stared at his leader, his guilt overwhelming him. Sanchez lowered his face.

“Josiah, “ Nathan prompted, reaching for his companion’s shoulder. It was clear that something dreadful had happened.

“Buck and J.D. weren’t with us. Ezra’s unconscious. They hit him.“

Nathan turned and raced toward his bag. “Take me to him. Do you know how bad...“

“Nathan,“ Josiah whispered, signalling his friend to stop. Sanchez turned to Chris. Larabee frowned. “They’ve got a gun pressed to Ezra’s head. I... I’m sorry.“ Josiah shut his eyes. How could he have betrayed Vin like this?

Still Chris and Nathan were confused. “What do they want?” Nathan asked.

Abruptly, a man entered the cave behind Josiah. Nathan and Chris reached for their guns, Larabee’s in his fist in a split second.

“Easy there, pard,” Alan cried. “We don’t want anyone getting shot. How about you put your guns down and we’ll talk?” Chris didn’t move. By now, Nathan also had his weapon drawn. “Reckon I’m only going to ask one more time before I tell my partner out there to pull the trigger and blow your friend‘s head off.“

Nathan swallowed. He waited for a decision from his leader. Chris stared. If he shot the man, Ezra was dead, but Chris would not throw down his gun. It was one life against the lives of four men in the cave.

Alan grinned at Chris. “I’m going to count to three, gunslinger. Up to you. One.”

“What do you want?” Chris snarled. His mind was moving at a million miles an hour.

“Two.”

“Chris,” Nathan appealed. They were talking about Ezra’s life!

Larabee’s gut knotted. To surrender his gun may be sentencing them all to death... but Buck and J.D. were still free and armed...

Alan opened his mouth.

Larabee’s mind filled with an image of Ezra.

“Thr...“

“No!“ Chris flung his revolver to the ground. Nathan did also. The bounty hunter nodded. “Good choice. Now, all of you move over to that wall.” Nathan and Josiah did immediately. Chris didn’t move, standing guard over Vin.

“Come on, gunfighter.” Alan flicked his eyes to the silent man at Larabee’s feet. “He dead?”

“No. He was shot two days ago,” Nathan stated, quickly. “He’s badly hurt. He isn’t any threat to you. He needs to stay where he is.” Nathan didn’t want them forcing Vin to sit on the ground against the far wall where he, Josiah and Chris had been ordered to go. Vin was too weak for that. He needed to rest and keep warm.

Alan studied Vin for several seconds and then looked back at Larabee. “Move, or I‘ll shoot him where he lays.” The tone was almost matter-of-fact, but there was no question he meant what he said.

Larabee’s cheek twitched as raw anger flooded his system.

“Come on, Brother,” Josiah coaxed. “We need to do what they say...” ...and pray that somehow Buck and J.D. will get us out of this mess.

Chris glanced at Josiah. Sanchez gave his friend a look of encouragement. It was important that Chris remain calm. If they were to get out of this alive, they needed to stay composed and wait for Buck and J.D.. Larabee continued to battle with himself. His eyes dropped to the pale face of his best friend.

“Chris,“ Nathan prompted. Finally, Larabee conceded. He walked around Vin and joined Nathan and Josiah, though it was clear that the action had been one the hardest things the black-clad man had ever done.

“Another good choice, gunfighter. Alright, all of you sit down.” Reluctantly, the trio did so.

“Won’t be a minute, Jacob!” Alan shouted at the top of his lungs. “Just going to collect up their weapons!” Thorpe collected the surrendered guns, keeping an eye on the three men across from him at all times. The experienced bounty hunter spotted the rifles in the corner and dropped the revolvers with them. Nathan’s knife belt was there too, the healer having removed night before.

Alan grabbed the coil of rope attached to Buck’s saddle and, using one of Nathan’s knives, began to cut it into lengths. “Okay, Jacob, bring him in!” Immediately, the blanket was pushed aside and a man walked in backwards, dragging Ezra behind him. The gambler was on his back, being towed by his arms. He was soaked to the skin and covered in mud, like Josiah. Standish’s face appeared pale and there was blood trickling from the wound at the back of his head.

“Let me help him,” Nathan appealed, softly.

“You a doctor?” Alan asked with surprise.

“No. I just heal people the best I can. Let me help him. Please?”

“Tie them up,” Jacob ordered, without any sign of sympathy. He dumped Ezra on his side against the wall of the cave about five feet from his companions.

Larabee’s eyes narrowed. Standish was out of danger. Time to act! Jacob spotted the change in Chris’ face and crouched back beside the gambler, pressing his revolver to the unconscious man’s head. “Don’t get any ideas, cowboy! Hurry, up, Alan. The other two could come back at any time.”

Chris snapped his eyes to Josiah. They knew about Buck and J.D.?! Chris would never have surrendered his gun if he had known that!

Alan moved across to Nathan and tied first his feet and then his hands. The bounty hunter did the same to Josiah and Chris. Jacob relaxed and stood up.

Alan strode across to Vin.

“Leave him,” Larabee snarled. His heart lurched. They were after Vin! Of course they were! It had all happened so quickly. He should have realized.

The bounty hunter ignored Chris, crouched down and examined Tanner’s face. “They were tellin’ the truth. He’s hurt. Ain’t gonna be much fun.”

Bounty hunters... and Chris had surrendered his gun! What the hell had he been thinking?! Larabee’s eyes darted to Ezra. He hadn’t been thinking. The action had been prompted, not by his head, but by his friendship and concern for Standish. Standish - a man who had been prepared to mortgage his soul to honour Chris’s promise to Vin. Larabee shut his eyes briefly. He was a strong man, but any strong man’s most powerful weakness was in those he cared about, and damn it, Chris did care about the six men he rode with!

Alan glanced at Jacob, who had walked across to stand above Tanner. “Oh, well. He’s still worth five hudnred dollars dead. We’re going to kill him anyway.”

Chris’ jaw clenched. He felt so helpless!

“That would be murder,” Josiah claimed.

“He’s wanted,” Jacob spat back. “And worth five hundred dollars to us.”

“He ‘was’ wanted,” Sanchez stated, carefully.

The bounty hunters exchanged a glance and then strode across to Josiah. “What do you mean?”

“He’s been pardoned.”

“Hah! We’ve heard that before!”

Josiah held both men’s gazes without flinching. Jacob and Alan exchanged another glance. “We work for Judge Travis,” Josiah continued. “The judge found out about the bounty and had Vin pardoned.”

“Crap!”

Josiah’s face remained firm. “Judge Travis is a powerful man in these parts. He contacted the right people. Vin Tanner is no longer wanted. If you kill him, you‘ll be guilty of murder and end up wanted yourselves.”

Nathan and Chris sat waiting with baited breath. Would Josiah’s bluff work?

“Why should we believe you?” Jacob demanded.

“I am a preacher. I believe in God and I swear on my love for my Lord that Vin Tanner has no need to be looking over his shoulder any longer.” And Josiah meant every word of it. With six friends to mind his back, Vin should have no need to do so. That was their job.

Alan bit his bottom lip. He prided himself on being able to read men and to tell when they were lying, and right at the moment, he found himself believing the huge man. He’d heard Ezra call Josiah ‘preacher’ earlier as well. This minister had just sworn by God. In Thorpe’s experience, those deluded fools who believed in God didn’t lie, particularly when they used the Almighty’s name to swear by.

Jacob was shaking his head. “I don’t believe you.”

Alan reached for his companion’s arm and dragged him toward the entrance of the cave.

“What?”

“I think I believe him.”

“It’s all just bullshit. How many times we heard that before? It‘s just a story to save his pathetic life!”

“Yeah, but what if it isn’t? He’s right. If we drag Tanner’s corpse in and he’s been pardoned, it’s murder.”

Jacob frowned thoughtfully. “So we take him in alive. If it’s bullshit, we still get our five hundred dollars. If it’s the truth, no harm’s been done. It ain’t our fault we didn’t know.”

Alan considered the proposal and then nodded. “Reckon we should wait for this rain to stop?“

Jacob shook his head. “As soon as them other two come back, we’ll tie them up, throw Tanner on a horse and get out of here.“

“What horse?“

“Theirs must be around here somewhere.“

Again Alan nodded. “The other two were looking for food. They may be a while.“ The bounty hunter walked across to Vin and crouched beside him again. “Tanner?” Alan shook Vin roughly, but the young tracker remained still. Thorpe glanced across at Nathan. “He doesn’t look real good.“

“He isn’t,“ Nathan admitted.

Alan frowned. “We want him alive.”

“I can help him,” the healer claimed. Alan flicked his eyes to Jacob. The other bounty hunter scowled.

“We need him to arrive alive, otherwise they might think we killed him,” Alan murmured.

Jacob snorted and then nodded. He walked across to Nathan. “You try anything and I will kill you.”

Nathan nodded his understanding. Chris and Josiah froze. Would Nathan try to take the two men on alone? Jacob sawed through the ropes holding the healer’s hands. Nathan waited for him to do the same to his feet. Jacob smiled. “We aren’t stupid. Only your hands.”

With great difficultly, Nathan crawled across the ground. He desperately wanted to check on Ezra, but the healer didn’t wish to draw attention to the fact that Standish was not tied up. The two bounty hunters appeared to have forgotten about the unconscious man. Ezra may end up being an ace for the regulators... if he regained consciousness.

Nathan slid across the cold ground and sat up beside Vin. He placed his hand on the ill man’s brow. Instantly, Nathan flashed Chris a look of assurance. Vin was okay. However, the healer turned to the bounty hunter and shook his head. “You put him on a horse and he’ll die.”

Alan glared at the healer. “So, we’ll build a stretcher.”

“He’s too weak. Without proper care, he’ll die.”

“Then we’ll take you, too,” Jacob growled. “You can look after him.”

“You wish to add kidnapping to the list, brother?” Josiah asked.

“We aren’t kidnapping him,” Alan stated, smiling. “Healer, you’re welcome to come with us when we leave. Your choice. Of course, if you don’t want to come along and look after your friend, that’s up to you.”

“I’ll come.”

Alan’s grin matured into a full smile. He rose to his feet and moved off to stand next to Jacob. The two men began to whisper quietly to each other as they prepared for the arrival of Buck and J.D.

Nathan leaned over Vin. Tanner’s eyes snapped open. Jackson was stunned. He didn’t think Vin was aware of what was going on, but the depth of the bottomless pools staring up at him told a different story. Tanner knew exactly what was going on.

Nathan shook his head slightly. He didn’t understand.

Nathan’s eyes enlarged. The healer patted his friend’s shoulder. With a knife, the healer could take out one of the men... but that still left the other fully armed and able to shoot anything that moved.

Before Nathan could formulate any sort of a plan, or appropriate the knife, Jacob and Alan split up. Jacob crouched beside Ezra and once again placed his gun to the gambler’s temple.

“Any of you make a sound and he’s dead.”

Alan pressed himself into a crevasse in the wall near the cave entrance. Chris considered shouting a warning to Buck but before he could decide whether he should or shouldn’t, the blanket was pulled back and J.D. and Buck shouldered through, their hands full of creatures of all descriptions.

“Boys, we...!” The ‘food’ Buck was carrying dropped to the ground, the big man’s hand descending to his revolver.

“Freeze, mister!” Alan cried, stepping up behind the peacekeeper and thrusting his gun into the middle Buck’s back.

J.D. spun around.

“J.D., no!” Chris cried.