"When I get my hands on you, young man. . ." he muttered while scanning the yard and buildings. He trailed off when he saw a note tacked to the house's backdoor. His hands shook as he stood in front of the door reading the note, only barely aware of Sheriff Banks trotting over to
him.

"Oh, my god, Jim. Darryl finally calmed down enough to tell me."

Jim only grunted, reading the note again. This couldn't be happening.

"Damn, Jim. I'm sorry. They came after Darryl, but Blair attacked the bastard who got a hold of him. Bit him in the arm so Darryl could escape. They took Blair instead."

Jim just stood there, trying to push his rage down. There would be time for that later when he had his hands around that bastard Kincaid's neck. The son of a bitch who took his son. He stared at the hastily scrawled note the kidnappers left:

Came for the sheriff's brat, but yours will do just fine, Ellison.
Bring my men to exchange for your boy to the Chopeckridge Pass two days
from now or your boy dies.

Kincaid

"I'll kill him," Jim whispered in an icy cold voice. A squeeze to his shoulder brought him back from his rage just a bit.

"We'll get Blair back, Jim." Simon said with conviction as he read the note from over Jim's shoulder. "Lordy, they're not giving us much time. Chopeckridge Pass is a hard two days ride from here."

"Which means they won't be that far ahead of us and will take the most direct route. I'll bet they've left a man in town to make sure we follow instructions. Probably have scouts out all along the way, too."

"We'd best saddle up then. I'll get a string of horses from the livery to keep our mounts fresh. That will give us an advantage. I'll meet you at my office in thirty minutes with a posse, ready to ride." Simon directed with a slap to Jim's back. "Oh, and one more thing, Jim, you've
been deputized."

"Thanks, Simon. I'll be there in fifteen."

Forty minutes later the two men, four posse members and their prisoners, headed out at a fast trot.

***

Jim stared at the pattern of hoof prints in the sod for several minutes before turning to the riders behind him to address the posse.

"They split up here. Two riders headed that way, but the main body, I'd say six riders continued due north."

"No telling which group has Blair."

Jim grunted a nod and continued walk along the trail most of the riders took. A voice echoed in his head. 'Untie the knot, watchman. Use all your talents.' Jim did as directed, loosening the knot and letting his senses open wider. A faint but familiar scent immediately assaulted his
nose and his sight honed in on the source unbidden. He reached down into the dirt and retrieved the single wavy long brown hair that lay there. Blair's hair.

"Simon," Jim shouted back to the posse as he remounted his horse. "Blair's with the main body."

"How do you know that?"

Jim clutched the strand of his son's hair in his fist. "A tracking trick an old Shoshoni taught me. I'm heading north."

"Let's ride."

At dusk, they made camp, everyone giving Jim a wide berth as the anxious father argued with Simon about the decision.

"Look, Jim. It won't do Blair any good if we go stumbling around in the dark and get our necks broke. The horses need to rest and so do the men."

"Fine. You and the others can stay here, but I'm going on. There'll be enough moonlight, I'll be fine. I can take them by surprise and get my son."

Simon grabbed Jim by an arm before he could swing into the saddle.

"Jim, I know how you feel. I'd be going crazy if that were Darryl out there, but you gotta use your head. It's too dangerous."

"Simon, why do you think those two rode off in a different direction?" When Simon just shrugged, he continued. "They are the scouts. They have men watching us, reporting our progress back to Kincaid. Now I intend to take those scouts out and get to Kincaid by morning. The darkness can work for us. Now you can stay here and continue with the others, or you can come with me, but you can't stop me."

They stared at each other for a few minutes before Simon broke the tense silence.

"If we leave now, they'll see us. We should wait another hour until the sun is well down before making our move."

"All right, Sheriff, we'll do it your way."

~~~

Blair's bravo at freeing Darryl had vanished as soon as the outlaw he'd bitten to save his friend turned on him. A dirty glove over his mouth prevented him from calling out and the strong arm pinning him to the outlaw's chest prevented his escape. Unceremoniously thrown over the
saddle, he had his wind knocked out. The horse took off with a lurch to a gallop and they hadn't stopped yet.

His stomach began to hurt from the saddle horn digging into the tender flesh. His abductors had been riding hard for what seemed hours. He held tightly to the saddle's edge to keep from falling, even with the strong arm over his back pinning him face down over the saddle. He kept his eyes closed tightly to block out the rapidly moving ground beneath him and the sight of sharp hooves pounding the dirt below his head. His nose and throat choked on the dust thrown up by the galloping horses and the stink of sweat coming from the over heated animal below him.

Blair heard someone call a halt and the horse under him jolted to a stop.

He startled a bit when the man holding him down shouted, "Rider coming, Captain Kincaid, sir."

"I see, Mr. Noland. It's Sutter." A harsh, heavily southern accented voice clipped.

Blair looked up as best he could, the hand pressed into his back unyielding, to see another outlaw ride up on a chestnut horse.

"Captain, sir, they're about two hours behind us with Alton and Morrison."

A different, and deep, voice spoke from somewhere off to his right. "Sir, I could take VanDyke and a few others and go back to stake an ambush to get our men."

"No, Mr. McBride. I admire your initiative, but the ground's too open. We'll stick to the plan and wait until Chopeckridge Pass. Those rocks formations make the perfect cover. And when we're through, we'll slip through the pass before blowing it to kingdom come so none may follow.
By this time next week, gentlemen, we'll rendezvous with the others at Camp Liberty. The South will be free again!"

Blair shivered as the men rallied behind the sentiment.

"Captain, the horses are about done in." Another voice complained from somewhere behind him.

"There are several ranches on the way to the Pass, Mr. Hoskins. We'll take what we need. Let's ride." The horse lurched beneath him and Blair braced himself for another jolting experience.

They raided the Wells' ranch for fresh mounts and continued on until past night fall. The raid allowed for a reprieve from his face down position over the saddle when he threatened to throw up if left in that position any longer. His captor quickly sat him up in the saddle for the rest of their journey.

As the rag-tag, ex-rebel soldiers began to make camp for the night, Noland roughly sat Blair down by the newly made fire. A plate of beans was shoved into his hands and a cup of water put down in front of him. The boy glared back at his guard before setting the plate down and
pulling his knees to his chest.

"I suggest you eat that, boy. It'll be awhile before you get the chance again."

Blair's head snapped up when he recognized Kincaid's harsh voice.

"Not hungry," Blair said with all the conviction a scared nine year old could have. He looked the towering man right in the eye. "You're in big trouble, mister, when my papa gets here."

"Awfully sassy little boy, aren't you? Didn't your father teach you proper manners?"

"He teaches me just fine. *Your* papa should have teached you it's wrong to steal."

Blair shivered at the mirthless laugh that emanated from the man towering over him. "Oh, he did, boy. I'm just taking back what was stolen from me by traitors to The Cause like your daddy."

"You're a liar! My father's no thief and he's not a traitor."

"Keep a civil tongue in your head, you ill-mannered whelp, or I'll be forced to teach you a lesson myself."

Blair's heart thundered in his chest, but he just glared silently back.

"That's better. Now eat," Kincaid commanded before walking away.

Blair woke stiff the next morning. The bedroll he'd been given to sleep in had been little more than two thin blankets. He cautiously peered over the top of his covers in the dim morning light. A few of the die-hard rebels were milling around, but no one seemed to be watching him. Carefully he slid from the blankets and, as quietly as he could, crept away from the camp into the underbrush. When he thought he'd gotten out of sight, he ran.

His lungs bursting for air, Blair jumped into a dry wash to hide and catch his breath. He'd been running for about twenty minutes, no direction in mind, just away from his captors. Soon his father would come for him, of that fact he never doubted. He just wished it would be now. The sound of galloping horses and angry voices reached him. Peering over the edge of the embankment he hid behind, he saw six of his captors spread out, Kincaid angrily shouting orders. He ran down the wash, his heart pounding. The sound of horse's hooves came louder and he fell to the pebbly surface below him as a horse and rider jumped the narrow wash above his head. Rough hands grabbed him, yanking him to his feet and shoved him up the bank as the other riders converged on the spot.

"Got him, Captain."

"Good work, Mr. McBride. Noland! Take charge of your prisoner and see that he doesn't escape again or I'll shoot you myself. Nothing must jeopardize this operation. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir!"

"Well, boy, you led us a merry chase and cost us valuable time. Since you can't behave, you'll be tied for the remainder of your stay with us. Noland, see to it. Keep his hands tied at all times, and his legs when we're not riding."

"Yes, sir!"

Blair broke away from his guard and charged to stand angrily next to Kincaid's right stirrup. "You're a wicked man and my papa is gonna fix you good!"

Blair fought not to let his gaze waver under the cold penetrating stare of his captor. Finally the man looked away. "Gag him."

The rope binding his hands, while not horribly tight, began to chafe after a few hours. When they finally stopped to make camp. Blair felt drained of all energy. He rubbed his nose with his tied hands, and pulled at the gag. He listened to the men talking quietly by the fire.

"Walters and VanDyke should have been back by now from scouting the posse, Sir."

"They are rather tardy, Mr. McBride. Send Jennings and Hoskins back to look for them. I want a full report as soon as they arrive."

Blair leaned back against the tree behind him and closed his eyes, pretending the mighty tree was his father. They were at home sitting in the great armchair by a cozy fire and Papa was telling him a story about Brer Rabbit. Blair sighed. Brer Rabbit would know how to trick his way out of this predicament, Blair thought. He pulled his panther necklace from under his shirt where it rested against his mother's locket. Holding the charm in his fist, he tried to think like the wily rabbit.

~~~

Noland set the plate of food down and untied the gag from Blair's mouth. Blair looked up through his eyelashes, wetness in his eyes, a tremble to his pouting lips. "I'm sorry, Mr. Noland, that I got you in trouble. I'll be good. I promise," he half sobbed.

"Here, boy, eat this."

Blair grabbed at the man's sleeve. "Please, Mr. Nolan, I have to go real bad," he whimpered and wiggled to make his point. With a sigh and glance over his shoulder, Noland untied Blair's legs before hauling him to his feet. Blair was pushed ahead as they headed into the nearby bushes. The sun would be setting soon. The darkness would aid his escape. Noland grabbed the back of his jacket to stop him.

"This will do fine here, boy."

Blair held up his tied hands as he shifted from foot to foot, silently pleading with his guard.

"No. You heard the Captain. Get to it."

"I need help then," he sobbed, letting tears fall down his cheeks. "I can't get my pants open with my hands tied, and I can't--"

Noland began untying his hands. When Blair felt the rope begin to uncoil from around his wrists he gathered all his might and pushed his fists into the center of his captor's neck. A choking sound came from Noland as he grabbed for his throat and sank to the ground. Blair didn't wait around. Shaking the last of the rope from his hands, he ran up into the rocky bluffs.

***

"Simon, he's broken away," Jim whispered as he anxiously watched his son scamper up the rocky hillside. This was the lucky break they were waiting for since catching sight of the outlaws that morning. It took all of Simon's persuasive skills to keep Jim from opening fire when they
saw Blair recaptured, bound and gagged. They were so close, but Blair could easily been caught in a crossfire.

Since they left the main posse yesterday evening to try to sneak into the outlaws camp and take Blair back, the two men had been on the move almost nonstop. The few stops they made to rest the horses allowed only short catnaps, not that either one could sleep. Jim blessed his new found control of his senses. His keen sight kept them moving most of the night. His hearing reassured him that Blair, while frightened, was all right.

"Where?" Simon asked, squinting.

"Up there in the rocks. Let's make our move." Not waiting for Simon's agreement, Jim shouted to the camp, "Kincaid! You're surrounded. Put down your weapons and raise your hands."

Kincaid whirled around, his face a mask of fury. "You are a fool, Ellison! You just signed your boy's death warrant."

Hidden in the rocky terrain opposite the outlaws' camp at the entrance to Chopeckridge Pass, Jim adjusted his grip on the rifle he had trained at Kincaid's head. To hit Kincaid would be farther than any shot he'd ever made. "I don't think so, Kincaid. We took out your guard and
scouts. Give yourselves up now."

"Noland," Kincaid thundered, "bring me the boy." Jim thanked his sight again for allowing him to see the deep red that covered Kincaid's face when Noland came stumbling through the brush, a hand clutching his throat.

Kincaid raised his revolver and pointed it at this underling. "Noland!" was all he could get out before Jim shot the outlaw leader in the shoulder. A short gun battled ensued, but soon ended when the outlaws realized their position wasn't defensible. After they threw down their guns, Jim and Simon advanced. Simon took the men into custody while Jim ran to the bluffs where Blair hid. The sound of his son's frantically beating heart urging him on as fast as he could run.

~~~

Blair had just reached the cover of the rocks when he heard a welcomed voice shout, "Kincaid! You're surrounded. Put down your weapons and raise your hands."

The adults argued more, but Blair didn't listen. Papa had finally come to get him. Blair winced as shots were fired and he crouched down farther behind the rocks. Soon there was silence and then the sound of someone running up the rocks to where he hid. Alarmed, Blair looked for a better hiding place, just in case.

"Blair!"

He stilled immediately. Relief replaced fear and he called back, "I'm here, Papa! I'm coming!"

Blair ran down the hillside in a tumble wanting to get to his father as fast as he could. He stumbled over another rock and began falling to his knees when two strong hands scooped him up to be crushed against a warm chest as two big arms held him tightly. He buried his face against
the sweated bandanna around his father's neck, and squeezed his arms around his father's strong neck in a death grip.

"I want to go home, Papa," he croaked out before his bottled up tears spilled on to his cheeks.

He felt the hand on his back move to pet his hair. His father's soothing voice murmured above his head, "Shh, now, Little Bit, it's all right. I'm here now. Shh, you're safe." Blair raised his head at the odd cracked sound in the usually strong voice. His own crying subsided when he saw tears running down his father's cheeks.

He sniffled, "Papa, you're crying."

"Yes, I am," his father replied with a small smile before planting a firm kiss to his temple. "You ready to go home?" Blair gave a small nod before returning his head to rest on his father's shoulder. "Then we're gone."

Blair held tight to his father as they made their way down the hillside, not that he needed to. His father's embrace held him almost too firmly, but that just helped to reassure him that his papa was really here and that they were going home.

"Ellison! This isn't over you turncoat bastard!" The hated voice of his captor sent a shiver down his back. Blair raised his head and scowled at his father's detractor.

The smug words were out of his mouth before he though about them. "I told you, you wicked, wicked man, that my papa would come." The grip around him loosened and he threw a leg over Sentry, helping his father deposit him in the saddle.

As his father put a foot in the stirrup, the fanatic rebel spat out, "You better watch that boy of yours, Ellison, because I'm--"

Blair had never seen such a cold look in Jim's eyes or his jaw clenched any tighter. Before the outlaw could finish his threat, his father had crossed the distance between them and taken the man by the neck.

"It's only because I look forward to seeing you dance at the end of a rope that I don't break your neck right now you miserable excuse of a man. Threaten my son again though, and I'll forgo the pleasure."

Sheriff Banks intervened. "Jim, why don't you take Blair home. I'll come 'round your place in a few days to get your statements."

His father glared at Kincaid again before releasing the man with a shove. In seconds he sat behind Blair, wrapping one arm around his body and taking the reins in the other. With a click of the tongue to Sentry, they rode off at a gallop. Blair all too glad to put as much distance between them and the outlaws as possible.

Jim slowed Sentry to a walk as the sun set. His body shook as the adrenaline he'd been running on the past two days finally gave out. Blair shivered too, Jim thought for the same reason. He squeezed his son tighter and placed a quick kiss on top of his head. Blair sighed and snuggled back against him, the trembling quieting a bit.

He found a campsite by a small creek and in the twilight, unsaddled his horse and laid out his bedroll. Blair was never far from his side. Neither one spoke beyond necessary directions. Jim made a small fire and they sat next to each other eating jerky and cold biscuits. Blair rubbing at his wrists periodically didn't go unnoticed by the rancher. He gently took hold of one of the boy's hands and pulled back the dirty shirt sleeve.

"Let me see." Jim frowned at the raw red lines that circled his son's wrist. After checking the other, he looked more critically at the boy's condition. He could detect no other injuries, although the boy was filthy dirty. Jim spilled some water on a kerchief and gently washed
Blair's face, erasing the tear tracks.

"Did he hurt you, Little Bit?"

"No, but he wasn't very nice either." Blair replied in a small, quiet voice. "He said bad things about you. When will we be home?"

Jim finished washing the beloved little face and retrieved the first aide kit from his saddle bag. He began putting a salve on the chaffed wrists.

"We'll be home by late tomorrow, I expect."

He wrapped the medicated wrists in bandages and put the supplies away. Blair grabbed his arm, the boy's eyes were wide.

"Where's Nemo?"

Patting Blair's hand to help calm the worried child he said, "Don't worry. Darryl's taking good care of her. I'm sure Sheriff Banks will bring her home when he comes to see us in a few days."

Jim settled himself against the tree at his back and drew Blair up next to him. The boy fidgeted, trying to snuggle into his side. Giving up, Blair climbed into his lap and quickly settled. Smiling to himself, Jim pulled the blanket over both of them, keeping his colt close at his side.

"I knew you'd come," came the sleepy voice from his lap. Jim felt awed by the level of faith his child had in him, not possessing that amount of certainty in his abilities himself. "But, I was still scared."

Jim gave his son a squeeze. "I was scared, too, but we're both okay now. It's over."

Letting out a huge yawn, Blair asked again, "We'll be home tomorrow?"

"Yes, Little Bit. Now go to sleep." Jim kissed Blair's forehead. "Sweet dreams."

Blair's breathing became rhythmic and his body relaxed even more. Just when Jim thought he'd nodded off, he heard a whispery, "You owe me two bedtime stories."

Jim couldn't help but grin and chuckle at that. "Yes, Blair. You can have two tomorrow and two more the day after that. Now hush and get to sleep."

They made good time the next day and reached a favorite picnic spot next to a small pond by mid-afternoon. Jim decided to stop for awhile to give themselves and Sentry a rest. He had done little more than doze lightly the night before and looked forward to a short nap. Blair had slept peacefully in his arms and napped while they rode that day. The boy bounced around the site, a bundle of pent-up energy.

"Papa, you going to sleep?"

Jim peered out from underneath the hat covering his face as he lie in the cool grass next to the small pond. Blair knelt next to him, his brown furrowed in concern.

"I'm just a little tired, Blair. You can play and when I wake up, we'll go home."

Blair's answer to that was to lie down next to him and mimic his pose. "Nope. Want to be with you."

Jim speculatively eyed the boy next to him. They needed to get past this. A breeze kicked up, blowing over them. Jim wrinkled his nose. They needed a bath. Grinning wickedly, he scooped up Blair, laughing as the boy began to giggle, and jumped into the pond. The water came up to
his shoulders.

"Take a breath and hold it," he instructed while doing the same before immersing them both. A few moments later he surfaced and made their way back to the shore. After stripping out of their wet clothes, leaving them to dry in the grass, they ran back into the water. By the time they had enough roughhousing in the water, their clothes were relatively dry. The frolic left Jim feeling rejuvenated, washed clean of the recent traumatic events. There would no doubt be a few rough times ahead, a nightmare to be comforted, and a bit more clinginess, for both of them, but for now everything was back to normal. They dressed quickly and Jim saddled his horse. He wrapped Blair's wrists in fresh bandages and they continued their journey home.

Well after night fall, the weary travelers arrived home. Blair woke when Jim tried to leaving him lying on the bed so he could see to his horse. Seeing the boy would have none of being left alone, and not up to an argument, Jim let him come to the barn to watch. Blair fell asleep leaning against the stall. Finished with Sentry, Jim carried a sound asleep Blair back to the cabin. This time the boy stayed a boneless heap when put to bed. Jim quickly got ready for sleep and crawled into bed, his son a welcomed warmth against his back. His last thought before sleep claimed him was that he owed Blair yet another bedtime story.

Jim shielded his eyes against the rising sun coming through the front window curtains and rolled over on his side facing the cabin wall. Morning came too soon today. It was Sunday, Jim remembered. The chores could wait a couple of hours. Jim pushed himself deeper into his
pillow, determined to sleep in this once. While trying to reclaim his dreams he felt a warmth move closer to his side. Half asleep, he drew the seeking little body closer until it was firmly against his chest, his arm protectively around the small shoulders. Blair's face pressed into his side then he quieted, sleeping soundly. Jim relaxed even more and began to slip back into sleep. He smiled as the familiar voice of his spirit guide whispered to him.

You did well, watchman. Remain vigilant and it will always be so.

The end