Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:28:18 -0800 (PST) From: Randy Howard Subject: Wagon Train / Incest / Chapter Four Wagon Train By Randy Howard This story is intended for people mature enough to appreciate it, but legally that means people over the legal age of eighteen or whatever. It is fiction, and contains consensual sex between male siblings and other family and non-family members. Chapter four: The homecoming postponed Previously in chapter three: Bear Claw could see that Caleb was still puzzled by all this so he continued to explain the process. "A spiritual initiation rite normally implies a shepherding process where those of us who are at a higher level guide you through a process of greater exposure of knowledge. This includes the revelation of secrets, usually reserved for those at the higher level of understanding. The initiation will cause a fundamental process of change to begin within you Little Fox. I will be conducting the initiation because I, being in possession of certain powers and a state of being, transfer these powers and state to you. The initiation process is often likened to a simultaneous death and rebirth, because as well as being a beginning of your new life, it also implies an ending of your old as it drops away in an ascension to the next." "I see now... I essentially become a man," he said. "Well yes and much more than that Little Fox. You shall become aware of the spirit world of our ancestors and the Great Spirit also." He told the boy. "Now come and lay beside me and tell me of this power that you have over Running Deer," he commanded more than asked. Caleb reluctantly lay beside the handsome War Chief, and his heart was pounding so hard that he thought that Bear Claw would hear it. When, after several long and silent minutes Caleb remained silent, Bear Claw's hand moved over and rested on Caleb's thigh. "I have seen you two and how you act as with a squaw Little Fox," he said as Bear Claw's hand slowly roamed up Caleb's leg to his groin. "Now you shall show me also." Now chapter four: Seth and Jacob stood beside Colonel Mackenzie as the detail rode back into the fort. Their eyes searched for a sign of Caleb and when they found none, their hearts sank. "Sir, after much searching we found no sign of the MacDaniels boy or of the Comanche camp," Corporal Parker said. "We did return to the last place that we knew of the camp to be and found these," he said and handed the colonel some blood covered clothes. Seth grabbed the clothes and dropped to his knees, he tears freely flowing. "Those belonged to my brother Caleb sir," Jacob sadly said as his hand rested on Seth's shoulder. The clothes were badly torn and blood was everywhere on them. Jacob helped his pa to stand and thanked the colonel for Seth. "Come on pa, let's get you back to the wagon," he said and took hold of his dad by the waist and let him away with the clothes in his free hand. "He's dead son, my baby is really dead," Seth said as his tears poured forth. When they got back to the wagon, Jacob helped his dad get into the wagon to rest. He looked around for Alex, but the lad was nowhere to be found. *** "Hello, I'm Jeremy Bryant," a boy of sixteen said to Alex from the water. "Alex Thurman," the boy said standing on the shore. "Are you coming in or just going to stand there looking?" he asked Alex. "I wasn't planning on getting in, but I guess it wouldn't hurt to clean up," he said as he turned to see if anyone else was around. "We're alone Alex, the others are too busy with business in the fort," Jeremy said as Alex peeled off his shirt. He kicked off his shoes before he removed his suspenders and undid his buttons to his pants. Jeremy watched him intently as the boy stripped and stepped into the water. Alex got shin deep and dove in, resurfacing inches from Jeremy. "The water is cool," Alex told him as he wiped the water from his face. "So you heading to California also," he asked as he looked Alex over. "I guess so, but I am not so sure at the moment," he said. "I had a falling out with my pa and may be staying behind at the fort," he told him. "Why would you want to stay behind in this dust bowl? Me, I'm going to strike it rich in California's gold," he said confidently. Jeremy was tall and lanky with long reddish brown hair. His eyes were a soft green and when he looked at Alex it was as if he could see the boy's deepest secrets. The coolness of the water had his nipples standing firm and tall on his hairless chest. Alex stared at the nubs and he longed to nibble on them. It had been a while since he and Caleb had done it and he was horny. Jeremy's cock was hard and visible through the water and that hadn't helped Alex's mood. "What are you looking at Alex," he asked but Jeremy knew, because he was looking at Alex's hard cock also. "Ah...nothing Jeremy... sorry, I didn't mean to be staring," he stammered, embarrassed that he had been caught looking. "Come on, I know a special place to swim that is out of sight of anyone that may come down to the river," he said and swam off, his white ass breaking the top of the water as he swam away. Alex felt a twinge in his heart, should he or not follow, he asked himself. He missed Caleb, but his animal lust was over powering him at the moment. So giving in to his lust, Alex swam after the boy and soon they were around a bend in the river. Jeremy turned and waited for Alex to catch up to him. "You're a powerful swimmer Jeremy," Alex said as he stood and lost his footing, falling into Jeremy. Jeremy caught him and for a brief moment they looked into each other's eyes before Jeremy kissed the boy. Alex's heart was pounding hard with carnal lust as Jeremy held him tight, his tongue filling Alex's mouth. "So is this what you wanted boy," Jeremy asked once he broke their kiss and Alex could only nod yes. "I kinda thought so when you kept staring at my manhood," he said and led Alex out of the water. Once on the shore, Jeremy pushed Alex down to the ground and got between his legs. Without waiting or talking he lifted the boy's legs and pressed his cock to Alex's rosebud. "I don't think I want to do this Jeremy," Alex said reconsidering his first thought. "Well boy, I do," Jeremy said and gave a hard push, and he fully penetrated the boy. "Aaaaaagh stop Jeremy... it hurts," Alex cried out but the boy continued until he bottomed. "Hey you were the one that wanted it, now shut up and take it like a man," Jeremy said and began to fuck him, hard and fast. Alex lay there almost in tears as Jeremy fucked him. The sun was baking them in its heat as Jeremy showed Alex no mercy. His thrusts were hard and deep, and the only saving grace was that he didn't take long to get to his edge. "I'm gonna shoot it," Jeremy said and blasted his cum deep into the boy's ass. He pounded his ass hard and feverishly until he had given Alex all that his balls had to give. As soon as he had finished he pulled his cock from the boy and got up. "Thanks," was all that he said before he ran and quickly dove back into the water. Alex laid there in tears until he knew that Jeremy was long gone. He got up and slowly walked into the water and carefully washed all signs of what happened from his body. He could feel Jeremy's sperm as it slowly slid out of his ass and disappeared into the water. Once he knew that he was clean, he swam back to where he had left his clothes. When he got out, his clothes were nowhere to be found. "That damn ass," Alex shouted as he looked around for his clothes. He quickly ran back into the water when he heard voices approaching. He watched several soldiers as the watered the horses, his head barely breaking the surface. "Damn, they would pick now to come and water the horses," he thought as he watched. They seemed to linger forever there at the shore, laughing and talking. Just when he thought that they were about to leave, Colonel Mackenzie came riding up. His eyes were directed to something bobbing about out in the water and he directed his men to take the horses back. "You can come out of the water now Alex," Colonel Mackenzie said to Alex. Alex swam closer to shore but stayed far enough away to hide his nakedness. "I can't sir, someone stole my clothes," he said and the colonel looked around for the lad's clothing but was unable to find them. "Come here, I have a blanket that you can use," he told him and retrieved the blanket from the back of his saddle after he dismounted. He unfolded the blanket and held it up as Alex walked from the water. Ranald took in the boy's naked form, and he felt a stir in his groin. "Now who would do such a thing to you boy?" he asked as he wrapped the blanket around a shivering Alex. "It was Jeremy Bryant sir," he told him looking down at the ground in shame. "Well we can't have you walking through the camp or fort in this state, now can we," he asked and Alex looked up at the colonel. "I will need some clothes sir, and the only ones that I have are at my pa's wagon," he said. "I have a few uniforms about your size, so why don't we get one for you," he said as he got back on his horse. He reached down to offer a hand up to the boy, and Alex grabbed it. Ranald hefted the boy up and Alex almost lost his blanket, but he quickly covered himself as he sat behind the colonel. The colonel took off with a bolt and Alex quickly grabbed Ranald, his hands resting on his groin. He could feel the man's erection in his uniform and Alex gently massaged it, causing the colonel to grow harder. "I would recommend that you raise your hands higher boy," he said looking back at Alex. Alex placed his hands on Ranald's chest and could feel his nipples standing firm under his shirt as the colonel rode off towards the fort. He gently pinched them knowing that he was causing the man pleasure. The colonel rode through the gate and around to the back of his quarters where he lowered Alex down to the ground, before he quickly dismounted. His cock was pressing hard against the fabric of his uniform's pants, and Alex could see the results of his handiwork. "This way boy," Ranald said as he led the way to his quarters with Alex quickly following him. Once inside his quarters, Alex let the blanket drop to the floor. Ranald turned to see the young boy standing there erect and smiling. "Damn if you aren't a sight boy," he said as he pulled the blanket up and covered the boy again. He walked over to a door and opened it. An officer was sitting at a desk and he asked him to find the smallest uniform that he could find and bring it to him immediately. "Now, were you serious about staying behind when the wagons leave tomorrow?" "Yes sir," Alex said quietly. "I can use a stable boy to feed and water the horses, could you handle that boy?" he asked as he worked hard to control his urge to grab the boy. "Now as soon as the sergeant returns with the uniform, you can dress." "Were am I going to sleep tonight sir," he asked looking directly into the man's clear blue eyes, and Ranald took a deep breath. "I am just afraid that my pa will try to come and get me," he added. "It's against my better judgment but I'll let you bunk in here with me tonight," he said. "Thank you sir and you won't regret it," Alex said and hugged the man. "I already do," he thought to himself. *** Bear Claw lay on his buffalo skins and Caleb lay beside him. Caleb was scared out of his mind as he felt the warmth of his body as he lay beside him. He knew that the man was a mighty warrior and the tribes War Chief, so he was helpless to resist him. "So tell me Little Fox, tell me of this white magic that you possess over Running Deer." Bear Claw said and turned to look at the boy, their faces mere inches apart. Caleb swallowed hard and spoke, "I don't possess any magic Bear Claw... I just saved his live as I did yours," he lied. "Then why is that you two are so inseparable? You are like his squaw to him," Bear Claw observed, angry that Caleb would not share his secret with him. "We are just friends and nothing more sir," he insisted. "Then prepare for your vision quest and pray that the powers around you will help you, for you will need their help on your journey," he told the boy and rolled away from him and got up. "But what who's help sir," he asked. "The buffalo is known to have great strength and endurance and if a Comanche warrior desires these attributes it is wise for him to study the ways of the buffalo. He must associate himself with them and see if he can derive some way to get one of them to share their power with him so that he would have "buffalo medicine". The sun is another source of power but not a god. The owl is a malignant force and has a power to cause death or injury to the Comanche, so be watchful of the owl. We, the Comanche pray to the Eagle, pleading for a portion of its great strength, acute vision and on certain occasions the eagle might allow a feather to drop in the path of a warrior signifying a gift of "eagle medicine". Do you understand my words Little Fox?" "Yes Bear Claw," Caleb said. Caleb got up and grabbed his bow and arrows, empty water skin and as he knelt towards the east, he thought of his vision quest and prayed to survive it. Once he was finished praying, Bear Claw led the boy out of the tipi and Caleb saw Running Deer standing over by his tipi. How his heart yearned to run to the brave, but Bear Claw was watching him, so he restrained himself. Bear Claw took the boy and put him on his horse behind him and with Running Deer watching rode off. They rode off into the wilderness for hours, with Caleb remembering his way as they journeyed. When Bear Claw reached the point that he felt it was where he wanted Caleb to begin his journey, he stopped and let the boy dismount. "May the powers that surround us be with you Little Fox," he said and rode off. Caleb watched as Bear Claw disappeared into the horizon and then surveyed his surroundings. He first looked about for signs of water; he knew that if he were to survive, he would need water. He could survive without food, but he needed water. He learned from Running Deer that the cactus would yield drinkable liquid but he wanted water also. He started off in the way that he had come, remembering that he seen water along the way, so he headed towards them, knowing that they would yield water. The sun was high, and it heat was unbearable as he walked towards the direction that he had just come from in search of water. He had remembered seeing water as Bear Claw took him to the beginning of his journey. With his bow and arrows strapped to his back and his knife at his side, he walked on. He practiced his new language as he walked, speaking only in the Comanche tongue and stopping only to cut a piece of cactus to gather it's liquid to help quench his thirst. The sun's force was brutal and Caleb became delirious from its intense heat as he walked in search of water, often stumbling several times as he continued on his trek. As Caleb walked along, he became aware of a pack of wolves afar off. As the sun began to set, he had finally reached the water hole that he had seen. It was getting along about dusk and he needed to start a fire if he were to keep warm and stay off the wolves. So he gathered together dried sage brush and set it in a hollow of a piece of wood that he had found. With his bow string wrapped around a stick, he began to work the stick vigorously in the dried brush until it began to smolder and then flame. He blew gently on it until it finally flamed enough to catch the rest of the brush on fire. He added more dried scraps until he had a good fire going. He then walked over to the water, and lying on his belly, he drank. He was drinking liberally when he heard the vicious growl of the wolves. He knew that his bow and arrows were by the fire but his knife was still at his side. He slowly let his hand slide down to the handle of the knife when he felt the breath of the wolf on his back. In fear he froze... *** Alex went to bid farewell to Seth and Jacob, before heading back to Colonel Mackenzie's quarters. He needed, no wanted to say goodbye to his friends that saved him from the brutality of his father. "So you are determined to stay Alex," Seth asked looking at the boy who was dressed in the blue uniform of the cavalry. "Yes sir," he told him sadly. "I want to be here in case Caleb is alive and does return sir." "I've accepted the fact that my boy is dead and we buried his clothes today. But on the chance that he is and does return to the fort... would you tell him that we are going to be settling in San Francisco," Seth told him as he fought back his tears. "I will sir," he said and hugged him tight. "And would you tell him that I love him also," he added and Alex nodded that he would. "I will miss you Alex," Jacob said, "but if my brother is alive, tell him that we want him to come and join us please," he told the boy. "I just feel that pa is never going to be the same without him," he said. "But he has you Jake, and..." "I know, but Caleb is his baby boy and he's already buried mama," he said sadly. "I'll do my best to love him but I can only do so much Alex, he'll have to be willing to help himself also." "I'll pray for you both Jake and may God grant you a safe journey west," he said and then hugged the boy. "You be safe here also Alex and be happy. Whether or not Caleb returns, find your place in life," he told the boy. Jacob stood there and watched Alex as he walked back to the fort and then turned to join his pa that was sitting and staring at the fire. *** Caleb knew that any sudden move would prove fatal, so he slowly turned his head towards where he knew the wolf to be standing. The wolf's face showed its dominance over the boy as he stood over him, his lip pulled back baring his teeth. The fur on the back of his neck stood tall and Caleb could see several other wolves several feet behind the one standing over him. "This one must be the leader of the pack," he thought to himself as he contemplated his next move. The wolf backed off several feet and Caleb slowly sat and then got to a crouching position. He pulled the knife from his belt and held it in ready, prepared to use it should the wolf decide to attack. The wolf turned his head towards what Caleb took to be a female wolf, which walked forward and dropped a scrawny rabbit at Caleb's feet. The wolves slowly backed away, but stayed within sight of Caleb. Caleb picked up the rabbit and walked over to his fire, where he prepared the animal for cooking. Skinned and roasting over the fire, Caleb watched the wolves as they circled him, constantly keeping their eyes on him. Caleb knelt as the rabbit roasted and lifted his hands towards the sky in prayer to his God. It was well into the night, the fire well built and roaring that Caleb succumbed to sleep finally. *** Alex returned to Colonel Mackenzie's quarters to find the man finishing up paperwork at his desk. The light from the oil lamp dimly lit the room as Alex entered. "The horses are fed and watered for the night sir," Alex reported. "I have washed and if you don't need anything else sir, I would like to go to bed," he asked of the colonel. "I'll be just one minute here boy and then I will show you were you are to sleep," he said as he put the finishing touches on a report. Once done he folded the report and placed it in an envelope. He sealed the envelope with wax and inserted his ring into the soft wax. "Done and done," he said pushing his chair from the desk and getting up. He leaned forward and grabbed the lamp from the desk before leading the way back into his private quarters. Alex followed the man quietly, his heart pounding as he watched the tall and handsome man walk. He was a commanding figure of a man and dominated the room. "I guess until the wagon train leaves tomorrow, you'll be sleeping with me boy," he said placing the lamp on a table beside the bed. "Thank you sir," Alex said and began to unbutton his shirt, Ranald watched as Alex removed his shirt, exposing his flawless boy chest. Alex unbuttoned his uniform pants and let them drop to the floor, and he stepped out of them. His boyish cock was flaccid and had just the beginnings of hair at the base. His balls were tight and round and Ranald felt his own cock chubbing up as he saw Alex turn, showing his white round ass to him. Ranald removed his suspenders before he unbuttoned his shirt. Alex lay there watching the man undress and his eyes were glued to his hair covered chest as he removed his shirt. Alex could tell that the man's cock was hard; he could see it pressing against the fabric of his uniform. Ranald could feel the boy's eyes on him as he undressed, and with a hard cock he decided to blow out the light before removing his pants. "Just when the show was getting good," Alex thought and felt the colonel slip into the bed beside him. "You didn't have to blow out the lamp, it wouldn't have been the first time I saw a naked man before sir," Alex said. "Well it would have been the first time that you would have seen me boy," he said and just the warmth of Alex's body next to his had him turned on. "Would you mind moving over some," he requested and Alex snuggled tightly to him. "That is not what I meant," he said as Alex threw his arm across the man's chest. His hand soon found Ranald's right nipple, and slowly he began to trace a circle around the hard nub. Ranald's breathing became shallow and labored, so Alex pinched it hard. "Mmmmm," Ranald moaned and then grabbed the boy, no longer restraining himself. He pulled Alex on top of him, their cocks hard and pressing together. Alex pressed his mouth to Ranald's mouth; he offered the colonel his tongue, which he gladly accepted. Both were moaning in delight as they kissed hard and lustfully, Ranald's hands roaming all over Alex's body. They quickly found his firm round mounds, and his fingers delved between his cheeks, searching out the sweet pink pucker that he knew lay within. His finger firmly pressed the ring for entry, and Alex lifted some and in the finger slid. "Mmmmm," he moaned as Ranald worked the finger around as they kissed. "You like that boy don't you," he asked as he inserted a second finger and Alex was pushing up against the colonel's hand. "Yes sir...would you do me sir?" he asked and slid off the colonel, turning over onto his back. The moonlight shown in through the window, and it gave an angelic glow to the boy's face. Ranald knelt up between Alex's bent legs, looking down at the boy with desire in his heart. "Are you sure Alex, are you sure that this is what you want me to do to you," he asked. "Yes sir, I'm very sure that I want you to do this to me," he said and pulled his legs back as far as they would go. Ranald spit in his hand and rubbed in on his cock before placing his cock to Alex's rosebud. He gave it a push and it slid slowly in. Alex grabbed Ranald's hips and pulled him all the way in until he bottomed, the two letting out a soft sigh. "Are you alright Alex?" "Yes sir, now fuck me hard sir... fuck me like I know you want to," he told the man. Ranald pulled almost out before slamming his cock in hard and again... again until he soon found a fast and rhythmic motion to fuck the boy by. Their bodies were moving as one as Alex reached up and pinched the man's nipples, coursing delight throughout the colonel's body. "Damn boy what you are doing to me," he said as he pounded his ass like a stallion in heat. "Fuck me sir... fuck your boy," Alex urged and Ranald slammed the boy's ass hard and zealously. Nothing before had ever felt so good to Ranald and he felt his edge getting close. He slowed down to about stopped, to hold his climax off and then resumed his pounding of Alex's ass. He rode the boy's ass for the better part of thirty minutes, before his need to cum became too great to hold off. "Damn that ass of yours boy... I going to shoot my sperm boy," he said and gave a great thrust into Alex's ass and held it there, blasting his insides. After his initial blasts, he resumed his pounding of the boy's ass, shooting his hot seed until he was spent. Hot, tired and sweat covered, he collapsed on the boy and they kissed in love's sweet afterglow. "Does this mean I get to sleep here every night sir," Alex asked and the defeated colonel only nodded yes into Alex's neck. "Damn you are one hot little fuck," Ranald said as he pulled his spent cock from Alex's ass. Kneeling between the boy's legs and looking down at his still hard cock, Alex reaches up and places his hand behind the colonel's head. He gently pulls the man down to his cock and Ranald opens his mouth reluctantly, and takes Alex's cock into his mouth. He sucks the head, running his tongue around the skin covered gland, and Alex pushes the colonel's head further down on his young cock. As it hits the back of his throat, he gags and backs off. "Just swallow when you feel it hit the back sir," Alex tells him and pushes him further down again. Ranald feels the cock hit his gag spot and swallows, Alex's cock easily moves down his throat. Breathing through his nose he begins to savor the cock that is in his mouth, and soon he has Alex at his edge. Alex knows that the colonel would only pull off if he told him that he was cumming, so he shoots his seed without a warning. At first Ranald chokes but soon he begins to swallow what Alex is offering him, and is taking every drop that the boy gives him. "That was rather sneaky of you boy," he said as he dropped Alex's soft cock and wiped his mouth. "Not giving me a warning that you were going to shoot your stuff," he said as he lay on the boy. "Would you have taken it sir?" "Probably not, but that was still rather sneaky," and laughed at the canniness of the boy. He pulled Alex to him in a spooning position, and soon the two were fast asleep. *** The next morning Seth woke to find the wolves sleeping snuggling around him. He didn't move but remained still until the packs leader stirred. The powerful wolf lifted his head and gazed into Caleb's eyes as if looking to see if fear was in them. Caleb showed no fear but remained calm and gazed back. The wolf rose and the rest of the pack with him and stood to watch Caleb as he too rose. Caleb stretched to get the sleep and discomfort from his bones. "Now we hunt," he said to the leader and took off running, the wolves alongside him as all eyes surveyed the area for signs of wildlife. Caleb stopped when he spotted a deer in the distance and crouched down. He grabbed his bow and an arrow... aimed and let the arrow fly. The deer dropped almost instantly where it stood and Caleb, along with the wolves went running. Caleb took the deer and strung it up in a tree, where he bled it. Once he had gutted the animal, tossing the innards to the wolves, he cut what he needed from it and left the rest to the wolves to eat. He brought back his meat to his fire and after rebuilding his fire, he cooked what he wanted to eat. He smoked the rest with mesquite that he gathered and prepared it as he had been taught so that he would have food for the rest of his trek home. "Thanks for the warmth last night buddy," Caleb said to the lone wolf as he sat beside him and helped Caleb devour the rest of his meal. The animal's eyes searched Caleb's soul and as if satisfied by what he found, he rubbed his head against Caleb's leg and Caleb scratched behind the wolf's ears. "Hunter, I shall call you Hunter," Caleb said and tossed the remainder of his meat to the animal. The animal caught it mid air and swallowed it whole, before he lay at Caleb's feet. Caleb looked about for the rest of the pack, but they were nowhere to be seen. "I guess it's just you and me now Hunter," he said as he stretched out for a quick snooze, both of their stomachs filled. *** Alex woke and could feel the morning wood of Ranald press tight against his ass. He snuggled tight back against it and it caused Ranald to stir, moaning out in delight. "There's no time this morning Alex for such fun," Ranald said and Alex turned to face the man. "I understand sir," Alex said, for he was sure that the night before was just a case of an officer using him for his own personal pleasure. "No son you don't understand. My sergeant will be reporting shortly and I need to be up and ready for duty also. I don't want you to think that what we did last night was just me using you son." "Really sir...you really care about me?" he asked as a tear ran down his soft face. "Yes Alex I care, and right or wrong, I am falling in love with you Alex," he said and passionately kissed the boy. "Now let's get up before he gets here, and he figures out just what went on," he said and gave Alex another kiss before they got up and dressed. "I will go feed and water the horses' sir," he said but Ranald stopped him. "No Alex, I want Sergeant Marshall to give you some duties to perform around the office here. I'd rather keep you within eyesight then out there and in danger." "Danger sir?" he asked, puzzled by the statement. "Alex, when you and I are alone, you can call me Ranald. As for the dangers, let's just say I'd rather keep you safe in here," he told the boy. "Now let's get over to the mess hall and get us some breakfast. You will sit with the other men while I will sit with the officers. Protocol you know," he said and the two left the quarters. *** The wagon train moved onward, and Seth's heart was heavy. He had begun his trip having left behind a wife and now he was also leaving behind a son. "Are you alright pa?" Jacob asked looking up at his father. "I'll live son," he told the boy, "I just miss your brother is all. But I am thankful that I have you Jacob and your love," he said and rested his hand on the boy's shoulder as they walked along. "Is my boy with you MacDaniels," Frank shouted as he came up behind Seth and Jacob. "Your boy chose to stay behind at the fort Frank, a choice that he was wise to make," Seth said. "I don't believe you, I know that he's hiding in your wagon," he insisted. "Search it Frank if you must, but you will not find him." Frank climbed on the back of Seth's wagon and looked into the wagon. When he was convinced that his boy was not there, he climbed down. "I'm going back for him," Frank insisted, confronting Seth once again. "Don't be crazy Frank; we are miles from the fort. You'd be an easy target for a Comanche raiding party," he told him. "For the love of God man, think of your family...your other sons," he said hoping to reach the man. "I'm not taking them; I'll be riding back alone by horseback. I'll get my boy and rejoin the wagons later," he told him. "My God man you are insane," he said shaking his head and Frank walked off. Within twenty minutes, Seth saw Frank riding off back towards the fort. He knew down in his heart that the man would never return. "He's committing suicide Jacob," Seth said as he watched Frank disappear into the horizon, shielding his eyes with his hand from the harsh light of the sun. "You tried to reason with his pa, that was all that you could do," Jacob said and turned back to watching the oxen as they plodded along. *** Caleb woke with a sudden start, when he heard Hunter growl. His hand on his knife and the other grabbing his bow he prepared for a fight. "What is it boy?" he asked as he looked around. Over in the distance, a lone rider approached. There was no time to extinguish the fire so he took off running for the cover of some rocks. A gunshot hit the rock just as he dove behind it, and he drew an arrow, jumped up and let it fly. The rider flew off his horse and to the ground, kicking up dust as he hit. Even from where he stood, Caleb could see his arrow protruding from the man's chest. "Hunter come," he said and took off running, be cautious in case the man still be alive. As he approached the horse, he grabbed the reigns and held them before checking the man. "Mr. Thurman," he said in shock, surprised to see Alex's dad so far away from the others and alone. "Get away from me you savage," Frank shouted out in pain. "Lay still Mr. Thurman, it's me, Caleb," he told him and Frank looked up at the boy. "We thought that you were dead boy," he said as Caleb pulled the arrow from the man. "Aaaaaagh damn boy... why did you go and do that," he screamed out in pain. "To save your life is why, now lay still." Caleb looked around and soon found the plant that he was looking for and pulled it up out of the ground. Taking several leaves into his mouth, he chewed it for several moments before placing them on the wound. "This will help stop the bleeding and prevent the wound from getting an infection sir," he told Frank that just brushed the Indian remedy off his wound. "I don't need a savage remedy boy. You have been gone so long that you're more Indian than white man now," he scolded. "Sir please...It'll save your life... trust me," he said and began to chew more leaves. "Get away from me boy, or else I'll kill you myself and this time I won't miss," he shouted. Caleb stood and spit out the leaves, and looked down at the pitiful man. "I will leave you then sir, if you do make it back to the fort, please tell my pa that I am alive and will be coming home someday soon." "Your pa found your blood covered clothes and thinks you to be dead boy. He and your brother have left for California," he told him. Caleb's heart broke, not for himself but for the pain that his pa and Jacob must have felt. It had not been his plan to hurt his dad but he knew that Bear Claw would have never let Running Deer let him return to his pa. Now his life had been determined for him. Caleb was to be a Comanche and no longer a white man. From that moment on, Caleb no longer remembered his name and went only by Little Fox. His life that he had once had was dead to him as he was to his pa and Jacob. He looked down again at Frank and then took off running, along with Hunter beside him. Little Fox was determined to be the best Comanche warrior that he could be. *** Running Deer was beside himself with worry, because he knew that Little Fox wasn't yet prepared fully for his quest. He wished that he had shown him more of the ways to live off the land before he had been taken. He also had time to search his inner man and now he knew that he was in love with Little Fox, in love as a brave would be in love with a squaw. "How do I explain to my father that I do not want to take a wife? How do I explain that Little Fox is all that I ever wanted in a mate and more?" he thought. "Are you thinking about Little Fox, Running Deer," Bear Claw asked rousing Running Deer from his thoughts. "I was just praying that he will do well with his quest and was remembering my own quest Bear Claw," he said as the great War Chief entered his tipi. "I would not hold out much hope of seeing him again, that boy has not what it takes to be a Comanche warrior," Bear Claw said. "I would not discard Little Fox so quickly Bear Claw, he just might surprise you," he replied. "Like it would surprise your father what you two share Running Deer," he retorted. "We are but friends, so why do you insist on making it more than what it is?" he asked and got up, walked out of his tipi, leaving the war chief alone. *** Frank struggled to stay on his horse as the blood issued from his wound. He knew that his strength was draining him as he saw the fort in view. "Rider coming in," a sentry yelled down to the men that manned the gate and they opened it up. They stood and waited until Frank got to within thirty feet of the fort and fell from his horse. The men raced to his aid and helped him into the fort; one noticed the wound to his upper left chest. "He's been wounded by an arrow John," the soldier said. "Let's get him over to the doc," John said and they rushed him over to where the doctor worked. Kicking open the door, the hurried in with Frank and laid him on a bed. The doctor rushed over to his aid and looked at the wound. "It looks like an arrow did this," he said looking up at the soldiers. "You had better go get Colonel Mackenzie," he told them. John hurried out to get the colonel while the doctor removed Frank's shirt. Alex was just carrying in some supplies when he noticed his father lying on the bed. "Pa," he yelled out and rushed over to the bed after he set the supplies down on a table. "Do you know this man son," the doctor asked. "He's my pa sir," Alex told him. Colonel Mackenzie came running in just as Frank was coming to. He too recognized Frank from the ruckus that he had the other night. "Who did this to you sir," Colonel Mackenzie asked looking down at Frank. Frank looked over at Alex who was on the brink of tears and said, "Caleb MacDaniels, he was the one that shot me with an arrow. He's Comanche now and no longer a white man," he said. "He ambushed me as I was riding back to the fort to get my boy," he added. "Caleb is alive pa," Alex asked and his face lit up, happy to hear the news. "You don't care that he nearly killed your own pa, you just care about that worthless boy," he snapped and began to cough. The doctor looked up at Ranald and slowly shook his head, letting him know that Frank was not long for this world. "Once I am better boy, I want your ass on a horse and you're coming back with me," he snapped. He coughed several more times and Alex backed away from him, unable to comprehend what he was telling him. "No pa, I am not going back with you, I am staying here where I belong," he insisted. "Damn it boy, you are mine and you will do as you are told," he snapped and tried to get up. Frank fell sideways off the bed and was dead by the time he hit the floor. "Corporal, get a detail together and scout the area for any sign of the MacDaniels boy. If he's out there I want him brought in for questioning," Colonel Mackenzie ordered. "Yes sir," John said and rushed out of the room immediately. "Sir don't believe what my pa said. I know Caleb and he would never ambush my pa," Alex pleaded Caleb's case. "If anything, my pa took a shot at him and he was defending himself." "Whatever the case boy, he needs to be found and returned to his family." Ranald told him. Alex rushed from the room and watched as a detail of soldiers rode out of the fort. "Please God protect Caleb from any harm," he prayed... To be continued... Email me at randyhoward2@yahoo.com with suggestions and comments!