DISCLAIMER: The Young Riders is the creation of Ed Spielman, and the property of Ogiens/Kane productions in association with MGM/UA television. This Story is created for entertainment purposes only, no infringement intended. Not to be copied without permission from the author.
"Dammit Ike, you are not going looking for anyone. Russell, Majors and Waddell employ you to deliver the mail. It's bad enough that three of you are missing, you three will be pulling double rides as of tomorrow if they don't show up so you can't go running off every time you get a feeling that something is wrong.' Teaspoon almost growled at his mute rider.
They're only a day late, Ike, they might have been held up in St Jo.' The wise old station manager tried to reason with his rider.
'C'mon Teaspoon, it couldn't hurt just to let him have a bit of a look. You know it's not like any of them not to be here when they are expected.' Jimmy tried to help Ike's cause.
'Fine, if they're not back by lunchtime Ike you have one day to search for them.' he turned to the other two riders 'Don't the two of you get any ideas that you're going with him either.' he gave them both a steely glare 'You've both got rides tomorrow, I've got a way station to run and to do that it I realise that it might come as a surprise to you boys but I need riders.' he turned and walked out of the bunkhouse without another word.
He walked across the waystation yards to the stationhouse and sat heavily on the porch swing. More worried about his missing riders than he cared to admit, he couldn't reveal his fears to the others or he would have no hope of keeping them from going searching.
Two days ago Kid and Lou had taken an important army dispatch to St Joseph. It was Lou's scheduled ride but Teaspoon had asked for a volunteer second gun. He shook his head in wonder as he had barely finished asking when he had five automatic volunteers, even Cody had volunteered as he was walking in the door from a two day run. He couldn't understand why they all so readily volunteered to go with Lou, almost as if they were all trying to protect a scrawny kid brother. There was something peculiar about the way they all treated Lou, he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
Kid and Lou were supposed to meet up with Emma and Buck in St Jo and make the trip back together. Buck had driven Emma to St Jo in the wagon to visit with a friend while they picked up some supplies that they couldn't get in Sweetwater.
Teaspoon could only pray that his stationmistress and riders were all well and merely taking their time enjoying the infrequent opportunity to take their time, but somehow he knew that there was something wrong, he could only hope that Ike could find them before it was too late.
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