It was a lovely sunny afternoon when Buck Cannon and Manolito Montoya rode in the wild landscape of Arizona. Suddenly Buck saw a young boy lying on the ground.
He said to Manolito, “Mano, somebody is lying there. Let’s go and see what the matter is.”
They both rode down to the boy.
Buck dismounted first from his horse, kneeled down by the boy and asked, “Who are you? I am Buck Cannon and that is Manolito Montoya. Can we help you?”
“I am Nicky Johnson. I fell off my horse and I think that my left wrist is broken”, the boy said.
Manolito examined his left arm while Buck gave him something to drink.
“Can you move your hand?”, Manolito asked.
Nicky shook of no.
“It is broken. We take you to the ranch. Can you get up?”, Manolito asked.
“I will try to”, Nicky said.
With the support of Buck and Manolito he got up but he nearly fell down on the ground again.
The two men put the boy carefully on the ground.
Buck first looked at Nicky, then at Manolito and said, “I stay with him while you go back to the ranch to get the wagon. Take Blue Boy along as well.”
Manolito mounted on his horse Mackadoo and rode away. He went back to the High Chaparral while Buck looked after Nicky who was in great pain.
“You lie here while I set your arm tight with a splint. How come that you fell off your horse?”, Buck asked.
“I just rode a bit around when I heard shots in the distance. So my horse got scared and threw me off his back. He ran the north direction. I have been lying here for God knows how long“, Nicky told him.
With water Buck made the wound clean while he asked, “This ain’t no place for a young lad to be here. Don’t you know that?”
“I know that but I ain’t got no friends here anymore”, Nicky said.
Buck looked at him and knew that the boy was telling the truth.
“At the ranch we will look after you until you are recovered. Do you have any relatives yet?” , Buck asked while he put a splint around the wrist of Nicky.
“Only a sister and a brother-in-law but they aren’t talking to me anymore. I don’t know why. I lived with a friend until he got killed”, Nicky answered.
“So, that will hold it together until we are home. Victoria will take care of it better”, Buck said when he had tied the splint to the arm of Nicky.
“Is she your wife?”, the boy asked smiling.
“No, she is married to my brother John and she is the sister of Mano. You will like it at the High Chaparral. That is the name of the ranch”, Buck explained.
Suddenly they heard shots coming from the distance.
Buck said, “You crawl to that rock while I bring my horse into safety. I see you behind that rock. Now!”
As soon as he could Nicky crawled to the rock which Buck had pointed him to go to. In the meantime Buck brought his horse Rebel in safety.
He said to the animal, “Stay here old boy”
Then he returned to Nicky was scared to death. That changed a bit for Nicky.
“What is going on?”, he asked scared.
“I don’t know but it ain’t safe for us to stay here”, Buck said.
“Buck, I am scared”, Nicky said stifling.
Meanwhile Billy Blue Cannon found, in another part of the landscape a saddled horse but without a rider.
He said to himself, “Strange. A saddled horse but without a rider. I better take it along with me.”
He rode towards the horse and took it along to the ranch. The horse walked along voluntary.
When Blue arrived at the ranch Joe Butler, a ranch hand and the brother of foreman Sam Butler, asked, “Found a horse Blue?”
“Yes”, this one replied.
“A horse without a rider in this area? Strange. Let Pedro put it in the stable and we will try to find the owner. Haven’t Buck and Manolito returned yet? They said that they would be back within the hour”, John said.
“I haven’t seen them but I am sure that they soon will come back”, Blue answered.
“They supposed to be here all along. I wonder why it had to take so long”, John said.
“Maybe they have been held up Don’t you worry John”, Victoria said.
“You know how they are. Blue, go outside and look if they are coming”, John replied.
Blue went outside and came then back inside again and said,
“Pa, Manolito is coming but he is without Uncle Buck. I believe something has happened to him.”
“Well, let’s go outside and see what Mano has to say”, the rancher said.
He and his son went outside. There they Manolito arrived, but without Buck.
“Mano, where is Buck? Is he injured?”, John asked when Manolito had come off his horse.
“No, amigo. Buck is ok but we found a boy who is injured. We cannot move him to get him here. So I came to fetch the wagon. Blue must come too”, Manolito explained why he was there without Buck.
“Bring them both here as soon as possible. I will tell Victoria that she must get the guestroom ready”, John said.
In the meantime Blue was getting the wagon ready.
When Blue and Manolito were gone John said to his wife, “Can you get the guestroom ready as we will get a guest. Buck and Manolito have found an injured boy and they bring him here soon.”
“Certainly John. I will get the guestroom ready now”, said Victoria said.
Suddenly Nicky slipped away from the rock and he injured left foot badly.
He said to Buck, “Buck, my foot.”
This one put his revolver away, grabbed the boy and pulled him near him. They kept themselves deadly quiet but nothing happened. After a while they came from behind the rock.
Buck put Nicky carefully on the ground, where he was found, and said to him, “Stay here lying, then I will get my horse.”
“I cannot walk anyway”, was the answer of Nicky.
But when Buck arrived at the spot where he had hidden Rebel, he got a nasty surprise. At the spot where first his horse was standing was now an empty spot. He was so amazed to see that his horse was gone that he was speechless. He looked around but couldn’t found him.
Returned to at the boy this one asked, “Where is your horse?”
“They have stolen my horse”, Buck said annoyed.
Finally Manolito and Blue had arrived with the wagon.
“Why did it have to take so long? They have just stolen Rebel”, Buck answered.
But he didn’t get an answer at his question.
“How is your arm?”, Manolito asked when he and Buck put Nicky on the wagon.
“It hurts and so does my foot”, Nicky answered.
“Oh, this is Nicky Johnson, Blue Boy. Nicky, this is my nephew Blue Boy”, said Buck said when he introduced Nicky and his nephew to each other.
Quite soon they were on their way to the ranch. Buck managed the wagon. He couldn’t ride too hard mainly because the roads were not all equal. Anyway, they came home finally.
Buck put the wagon in front of the front door and said, “We are home. Nicky, welcome to the High Chaparral. John, help me for a second to help the boy inside. Watch out as he has injured his left foot.”
With much difficulty Nicky came off the wagon and he got brought inside. On the settee he tried to put his foot on the ground but due to the pain it was impossible.
“Nicky, can you take off your boot?”, John asked.
Nicky tried but couldn’t succeed it.
“Just cut it open. I don’t care about it”, the boy said.
Buck cut the boot carefully open without cutting into the foot. The foot of Nicky was swollen.
“Bring him to the guestroom”, Victoria said then.
John and Buck bought the boy to the guestroom where the boy let know that he was tired.
When Nicky was in bed John said to him, “You stay here until you are completely recovered. Try to get some sleep. We come later to see if you need anything.”
Quit soon Nicky fell asleep very fast.
Downstairs Buck told brief what he knew of/about Nicky.
Then Blue asked, “This afternoon I found a horse that was walking around without a rider but with a saddle. Is it happen to be his?”
“That might be true Blue Boy”, was the answer of Buck.
Meanwhile at another part of Tucson. At the Clarkes was Claire, the sister of Nicky, was very worried because Nicky was trackless for a few days. Her husband Jesse was worried as well but more about the fact that the boy might be talking about the murders which he and Claire had committed.
“He won’t go talking, will he?”, Claire asked.
“I don’t think so. He knows what will happen to him when he starts to talk”, Jesse said determined.
Claire nodded approving.
“We take good care of him and what do we get in return? Totally nothing. That lad is worth nothing. Let’s go and find him. He can’t be far”, Jesse said finally.
Although the Clarkes kept on looking for Nicky they couldn’t find him. Until Blue was in town.
When he dismounted from his horse Jesse came to him and said to him, “Do you happen to see Nicky Johnson? He is small for his age.”
“No, I haven’t seen him. I am sorry”, Blue said.
While Jesse walked away Blue kept on looking at him. Then he mounted on his horse and he rode as fast as possible home.
At the ranch Manolito saw Blue coming very fast.
He asked, “Calm down amigo. Why such a hurry?”
“Is Nicky still asleep? I got news for him”, Blue answered while he dismounted from Soapy.
He went inside and said to John, Victoria, Manolito and Buck, “I was just in town when a man asked me if I had seen Nicky. I said I hadn’t.”
“He said that his sister and brother-in-law ain’t speaking to each other anymore”, Buck said.
“He is not able to travel he stays here”, John said determined.
“Mustn’t we tell Nicky this?”, Blue asked.
“Not until he is able to take it. How is he anyway?”, John asked.
“The last time I checked he was still sleeping. I don’t know if he still does that”, Victoria said.
The Clarkes noticed that nobody had seen Nicky. Just as Jesse wanted to ride away Sam Butler (the foreman of the High Chaparral) saw that Jesse rode on the horse of Buck. Sam said nothing and didn’t let show what he knew. He also didn’t trust Jesse.
Jesse rode home where Claire asked him, “According to me lives that lad somewhere at a ranch. We only have to find out which one and we have him again. Where did you get that horse from?”
“Someone has left him at a bush. I thought I take it home”, her husband replied.
He dismounted, put the horse in the stable and took the saddle off.
Inside he said, “Tonight I go again inform if someone has seen Nicky.”
After supper Buck and Manolito went to town to have a drink at the saloon.
Just as they were arriving there Manolito said to Buck, “Look, there is the person who asked Blue for Nicky.”
“Yeah, you are right. Oh he is coming towards is”, was the reaction of Buck.
Jesse came to both men and asked, “Have you seen a boy named Nicky Johnson?”
“Do you know a Nicky Johnson? I don’t”, Buck said and Manolito denied it too.
“Excuse me sir but why actually are you looking for him?”, asked Buck asked interested.
“No single reason. He is my brother-in-law and my wife and I should actually take care of him. If you see him just let me know”, Jesse answered.
They promised to do that but as soon as Jesse had walked away Buck said, “I don’t that trust that fella.”
“Me neither amigo. Let’s have a beer”, Manolito said.
After an hour Blue came into the saloon.
He said to Buck and Manolito, “Pa want that you come home as soon as possible. It is urgent.”
“Well, Blue Boy, let’s go home then”, said Buck said with a smile on his face.
They rode home very quickly.
There John said to Buck and Manolito, “Nicky is awake and has told us about his sister and brother-in-law. It seems that Nicky was a witness of the murder of his parents.”
“Who has killed his parents?”, Buck asked amazed.
“His sister and brother-in-law. The boy is scared to death that he gets killed as well”, John said.
“We met his brother-in-law tonight. He said that if we saw Nicky we had to tell him that. We denied that of course”, Manolito said.
Suddenly Buck looked up amazed and he said, “Wait a minute John. This afternoon when Nicky and I were waiting for Mano en Blue Boy we got attacked but we didn’t see anyone. Around the same time Rebel got stolen. I believe they have something to do with it.”
“We keep Nicky here and nobody tells that he is here. That is an order”, John said.
They all nodded.
Later when Buck went to look by Nicky he said ,“How are you? John told me about the murder at your parents.”
“I fell good but I cannot put you in danger because you are hiding me. My sister and brother –in-law can be very dangerous. Hass he been asking around me?”, Nicky asked a bit upset.
“Yes, he did but we said that we hadn’t seen you at all. I don’t trust him. You are safe here. Believe me. Do you happen to be hungry?”, Buck asked.
Nicky nodded so Buck went downstairs.
He said to his sister-in-law, “Would you like to prepare something to eat for Nicky? He is still too weak for a complete meal.”
“Okay. I will do it right away”, his sister-in-law replied.
When Nicky had eaten something he felt much better but he stayed in bed anyway.
The next day when Buck was in town with Blue and Manolito he got an stupendous surprise. At the office of the sheriff he saw his horse Rebel standing.
“Look Mano and Blue Boy, that is Rebel whom they stole yesterday. I wonder how he got there”, he said amazed.
“Si, it is our horse. Let’s ask how he got there”, Manolito said.
But just as they wanted to go into the office of the sheriff they heard a familiar voice. They listened at the door and it was
Jesse talking to the sheriff.
Jesse said, “I want that you arrest Nicky for killing my parents-in-law.”
“Where is Nicky?”, the sheriff asked.
“We don’t know that. He is dangerous for everyone”, Jesse explained.
The Cannon clan could dive away in time when Jesse left the office of the sheriff.
“I will arrest that boy as soon as I see him. You can count on that Mr Clarke”, the sheriff said to him.
When he had disappeared out of sight Buck, Manolito and Blue went inside the office.
Buck said to the sheriff, “Excuse me sheriff, But he happened to hear your conversation with Mr Clarke. Well, you know, I happen to be a friend of Nicky and I know that he is innocent.”
“Can you tell me also where I can find him Buck?”, the sheriff asked.
“Well, err I don’t know, but….”, Buck began to tell.
Manolito asked, “What he tries to say is that Nicky is somewhere where he cannot be found. Is that not so amigo?”
“Oh yeah, that is so sheriff”, Buck said smiling.
The sheriff looked at him and asked, “Tell him that I am looking for him. Is there anything else you want?”
“The man who just left your office rides on a stolen horse. That horse is mine”, Buck said.
He told the story and fortunately the sheriff believed him.
Outside the office Buck said to Blue, “Go home and tell John that Nicky is reported by his brother-in-law and now wanted for killing his parents.”
Blue did that and when he was away Buck and Manolito saw Claire coming. While talking they ran up against her. Manolito saw chance to take a paper away from her. She didn’t even notice it. Manolito and Buck read the paper.
Manolito said, “This is the same story as what Nicky told us. If we tell show this to the sheriff he certainly will arrest Jesse and Claire.”
“Keep it with you. There she comes”, Buck said when he saw Claire coming to them.
“Excuse me but can I have that paper back that you took from me?”, she asked.
“Paper? Which paper? Oh, you mean this paper. It is just a shopping list which my sister Victoria gave to me. But if you want it, here it is”, Manolito said.
She grabbed the paper and walked away.
Quickly Buck and Manolito went to the sheriff.
There Buck asked, “We have evidence that Nicky is innocent. We happen to see the chance to get it from his sister. Do you believe us?”
The sheriff read the paper and said, “I believe you. I arrest his sister and that will lead to the arrest of her husband. You can tell the boy this.”
Both men agreed with him.
Buck and Manolito went to get a well deserved drink at the saloon awaiting for the arrest of Claire Clarke. In the saloon they noticed that the Clarkes were not popular at all in Tucson.
At the bar the bartender said to Buck and Manolito, “They have just used that boy for an example that they were so good. But now he has disappeared. Nobody knows where they are.”
“Really? What is his name?”, Buck asked unsuspecting.
“Nicky Johnson. He lived on a ranch just outside of town”, the bartender replied.
They knew more than enough and went up to home again.
At the moment that Buck wanted to mount on Manolito said to him, “Buck, look who is coming there with the sheriff.”
“Do you know her? I don’t”, Buck answered.
Meanwhile Claire had found out that they were behind it and said when she was passing the twosome, “I am innocent but that damn kid brother of mine is the murderer. I will get you back.”
“Bye madam, bye sheriff”, the two men said polite.
This gesture made Claire angrier than she already was.
At the office the sheriff asked, “Where is your husband?”
“He is looking for Nicky because we are responsible for him”, Claire answered.
She got placed in the cell anyway.
In the cell she asked, “I am completely innocent. Why then have you arrested me?”
“I have here the evidence that you are guilty”, the sheriff answered.
“Tell me, do you believe me or a complete stranger?”, she asked then.
“Which stranger do you mean?”, the sheriff asked amazed.
“The one who hangs around with my kid brother Nicky. By him I am now behind bars”, was the reply of Claire.
The sheriff didn’t say that he knew that person because he also distrusted said Mrs Clarke.
Meanwhile Jesse wonders where his wife is remaining, not knowing that she was arrested. Then he had a plan to get back at his brother-in-law He hired a man who wanted to make an easy amount of thousand dollars.
Jesse said to him, “As soon as you see Nicky and that bloke who is with him you force them to go to that abandoned house. I am there and as soon as they are inside you get your money and you can go.”
“That is if I am not mistaken one of the Cannons of The High Chaparral”, said the man.
“He wears dark clothes and lead Nicky astray”, said Jesse.
“That is Buck Cannon”, said the man.
This brought Jesse at the idea to keep Nicky and Buck hostage in the abandoned house outside of town.
In the meantime Blue had returned to The High Chaparral.
Inside he said to John, “Jesse wants to have Nicky for killing his in-laws. He rides on the horse of Uncle Buck.”
“I didn’t kill my parents. They did”, was the reaction of Nicky who just came downstairs.
“Nicky, how are you?”, John asked surprised.
“My arm hurts but I feel good”, the boy answered.
“You walk better than yesterday. You stay here until your arm is well”, said Victoria.
Then they heard a shot outside. Nicky went back to his room and pretended he was asleep. John and Blue went outside to see what was going on. They saw outside the horse of buck entering the yard. The rider was Jesse Clarke who didn’t know that the horse belonged there. John and Blue saw the horse coming.
John said to his son, “See if Nicky is safe.”
“Right away pa”, Blue answered and he went inside the house.
The boy was scared to death when Blue told him the news but Blue said, “Pa knows what he must do. Don’t you worry.”
Outside John asked Jesse, “Can I help you sir? Are you returning that horse?”
“No, not at all. This is my horse but I have heard that my brother-in-law is here. I came to bring him home”, said Jesse.
“I am afraid that you came for nothing sir. Only my wife, son and I are here. By the way, Where did you get your horse from if I may ask?”, John wanted to know.
“I have him for years. Why?”, Jesse asked nervous.
Meanwhile Blue had come outside as well.
“Pa, isn’t that the horse of Uncle Buck?”, he asked his father.
“Yes, that is true. It was stolen from him a day ago. So sir, you are in deep trouble”, replied John.
Jesse quickly rode away, being furious at the Cannons.
When he was out of sight Nicky came out of the house and he said to John and Blue, “He will return.”
“How come that you are so sure of that?”, asked John.
“I know my brother-in-law. One day he will catch me and kill me too. I have been too long on the run to keep running”, said Nicky.
At that moment Buck and Manolito came riding towards the house.
Buck asked, “Your sister has just been arrested. You must come and identify her Can you ride a horse?”
“I think so. Are you coming with me?”, Nicky asked what Buck promised to do.
When they arrived in town Nicky got nervous.
Suddenly they heard a voice saying, “Remain on your horses and keep on riding until I tell you to stop. No talking.”
They rode to a deserted house where they dismounted of their horses. When Nicky and Buck entered the house Nicky got the shock of his life.
“Nice to see you again, my dearest Nicky”, Jesse said with a mean smile.
“I never trusted you. Let us go. They are going to miss us soon. They will search for us and find us”, said Nicky.
“They will never find you”, said Jesse.
Buck and Nicky had to keep themselves calm which they did.
While he pointed a rifle at him Jesse said to Buck, “That brat is dangerous to everyone. I am going to trade you for my wife so that Nicky gets arrested.”
Buck looked up and said, “I believe this boy.”
In the deserted house Jesse had a great meal in front of him while Buck and Nicky only could and were allowed to watch.
With a mean smile on his face Jesse said to them, “I am going to eat this while you may watch.”
Buck and Nicky looked at each other and Nicky noticed that Buck already had a plan to escape. Buck winked at Nicky and Nicky returned one without Jesse noticed it.
Suddenly Buck said to Nicky, “It is your fault that I am here. I just should have left you injured there where I found you!”
“So this is my fault? Mr Cannon, thank you so much. I didn’t ask for your help, did I?”, Nicky asked amazed.
“You didn’t refuse it”, replied Buck.
Then they heard Jesse saying, “Both shut up! I want silence when I eat!”
Buck asked, “Excuse me sir, but could I get a glass of water? I am kinda thirsty, you see.”
“A glass of water?”, he asked.
“One glass of water”, was the answer of Buck.
“A glass of water coming up”, said Jesse.
He gave Buck a glass of water but when Buck held the glass tight he said to Jesse, “Here you have the water back.”
He threw the water into his face and knocked him out.
“Come on Nicky”, he said to the boy who ran as fast as possible.
Outside Buck said to his own horse, “It is nice to have you back again, old boy.”
“Buck, help me to get on the horse”, said Nicky because he had trouble with mounting on.
Buck helped him, mounted on his horse and they rode away.
In the meantime everybody at the High Chaparral had become very worried because Buck and Nicky still hadn’t shown up. Outside it had become already dusk.
Finally John said to Blue, “You and Mano go directly to Tucson to inform if someone happened to see them. If you know something come back at once.”
“Understood pa”, replied Blue.
He and Manolito saddled their horses and went to Tucson.
When they were away Victoria said, “I hope that nothing has happened with Buck and Nicky.”
“I hope not either. Buck know the way home and he won’t leave the boy out of sight”, said John.
When Blue and Manolito arrived in town first they went to the saloon. But not at the bar nor at the poker table Buck Cannon and/or Nicky Johnson had been seen. Then they made the decision to go to the sheriff who was just doing his round.
“Have you happen to see by accident Buck Cannon and/or Nicky Johnson? They are missing for a few hours”, said Manolito.
He said, “No, I am sorry me but I haven’t seen any of them. At least not after I have arrested Mrs Clarke.”
“Thanks anyway. If you see them can you let us know?”, asked Blue.
That would the sheriff do for sure. Then it came to both minds that the brother-in-law of Nicky could be behind the disappearing of Buck and Nicky.
“We better can go to the deserted ranch of the Johnsons because they might be there. Come on Blue”, said Manolito.
They mounted on their horses again and rode to the ranch of the Johnsons which was inhabitant since a couple of months.
After riding in the dark for a while Buck and Nicky reached his old ranch. It was there dark and neglected but suddenly the horse of Nicky got scared of something and he threw the boy of his back again.
Buck dismounted quickly of his horse, grabbed the reins and calmed down the horse by saying, “Easy boy. It is alright.”
Nicky was already unconscious and got carried inside by Buck. Lying on the bed the boy got around.
“Where am I? What has happened?”, he asked looking around the room.
“You are safe in the house. You got thrown of your horse. The horses are in the stables. How is your wrist?”, Buck asked concerned.
“It hurts. This is where I lived with my parents until they got killed. They left it to me but for some strange reason my sister wants to own it. Why, I don’t know. She never cared about the ranch. Why now so suddenly she does?”, asked Nicky asked very amazed while he went to sit.
“That is what we have to find out. Ain’t there no food here?”, asked Buck.
“Yes, there is something to eat around here. I have hidden it somewhere you will never find it. Aha, here it is. A perfect hiding place for food”, Nicky said smiling while he reached from under the bed for a can of beans.
“How did you know that there was a can of beans?”, Buck asked stupefied.
“I was here a couple of days back. I had put it there for emergency. Can you open it?”, Nicky explained.
Buck opened the can and while Nicky heated up the beans he prepared the beds for the night.
The simple meal did Buck and Nicky good. Buck noticed that the boy was exhausted because Nicky fought heavily against the sleep. Suddenly they heard a knock at the door. They looked at each other and drew their revolvers when Buck opened the door. He pointed his revolver at Manolito and Blue.
“Is that now a nice and friendly way to greet us?”, asked Manolito.
“I am sorry. We thought that you were his brother-in-law. What are you doing here?”, Buck asked indignant.
“Pa has sent us to look for you because you didn’t show up. He got worried”, said Blue.
“Jesse kept us hostage but Buck knocked him out”, Nicky explained.
“Come, then we go to the ranch or otherwise John must form a posse for us”, said Manolito.
So said, so done.
After a short while they arrived at the ranch where Nicky nearly broke down. Buck and Manolito received him in time and brought him inside.
“And where were you if I may ask?”, asked John.
“Well John, that is a long story. We were in town when someone ordered us to go to a deserted house. Jesse was and kept us hostage. I threw water in his face and knocked him out. With the horses we rode to the ranch of Nicky and there Mano and Blue Boy found us”, Buck told his brother.
“He and my sister have ruined my ranch ruined”, Nicky said upset.
“Nicky, don’t get upset. They will get their share. Now you go to bed because you look awful”, John calmed him down.
“Yeah, I go to bed. Goodnight”, said the boy.
He went to his room to sleep.
“That brother-in-law of his really wants to let him pay the piper for murdering the Johnsons. It is his word against that of hem”, said John.
“Is there nothing we can do?”, asked Blue.
“They are very cheeky, Blue Boy”, was the answer of Buck.
The next morning when Nicky was downstairs he said, “Has my brother-in-law been? He probably will go after me and Buck.”
“No, not since yesterday afternoon. He probably doesn’t know that Buck lives here”, replied John.
“If he tells one more bad thing about you I will give him a big piece of my mind”, Buck reacted fierce.
“Easy Buck. Nicky, have you told the sheriff your version?”, John asked calm.
The boy shook of no and said, “I didn’t get a chance for it because if I would give my testimony then Jesse and/or Claire would kill me.”
“You know how to handle a revolver?”, asked Manolito.
“Yes. My father taught me how to shoot”, Nicky said a bit absent.
“You surely miss your parents?”, was the question of Victoria.
He nodded.
“The last few months must have been very difficult for you”, said Victoria.
Nicky said, “Sure and now they are after me everything comes back. Maybe it is better I go after them on my own. I am sorry that I put you up with my problems. I get my horse and go away.”
“No way Nicky Johnson! You are not fully recovered yet”, John replied a bit strict.
Hereby Nicky knew that he would stay at the ranch. Everybody noticed how tensed the boy was.
When he was outside John said to his younger brother, “Buck, take him along and show him the whole ranch. Including the herd.”
“Okay John”, this one said calm and he went also outside.
“Nicky is a bit to tensed. One thing must happen and he goes loco”, said Manolito.
“That is something we must prevent”, John replied worried about Nicky.
Outside Buck said to Nicky, “Come mount on lad. Then I show you the whole ranch.”
“Okay, I go with you”, said Nicky said a bit absent.
When they were riding Buck asked, “We just want to help you. When was your friend killed?”
“A month ago. We came home from a poker night when Jed heard something. He went to take a look and I followed him. Suddenly there were shots and Jed was dead at once. I know for sure that my sister and brother-in-law are behind it. They also killed my parents in cold blood”, said Nicky said looking ahead of him.
Buck said, “I hope for you that this soon is over and that you can get on with your life.”
“I hope so too. The High Chaparral is very big”, said the boy admiring.
He was also impressed with the herd.
The whole day in the open air had done Nicky much good and by evening time he and Buck came home.
“Hey amigo. You look much better than this morning”, said Manolito to the boy.
“I do feel much better than this morning”, he replied.
Inside Nicky said to John, “I am sorry about this morning. I didn’t know what came over me.”
“It is alright boy. I understand it. Buck told me that your parents have left their ranch to you. What are you going to do with it?”, asked John.
“No idea actually. I can see no future ahead of me at this moment”, Nicky replied.
“That will come one day. Come then we are going to eat soon”, John said to him.
That evening after supper John said ,“Nicky, I know a way to get hold of your sister and brother-in-law.”
“I am curious”, this one said calm.
In the living room John explained the whole plan, “You and Buck are tomorrow in Tucson to wait for Jesse. As soon as he gets you in sight you leave town. He goes after you while Blue and Mano get your sister because she has escaped from jail. I will bring the sheriff up to date. Your sister and brother-in-law ride well concerning the horse?”
“They rather take their carriage. As far as I can remember I have never seen him riding on a horse like we do that”, Nicky told.
“You can ride quite fast so that is an advantage”, Buck said calm.
“So first they go after us and then we lead them in an ambush if I understand it well?”, asked Nicky.
“That is the meaning. I only hope that it will succeed”, said John.
“But what do we do if it fails? The Clarkes are very dangerous”, said Buck.
“I go then after them on my own till I get them. If nesseray alone”, was the answer of Nicky.
“Forget that young man”, said John.
“Why? They have destroyed my life. Why are they still bothering me then?”, Nicky asked walking around in the living room.
“According to me they want you to sell the ranch to them”, replied Buck.
Nicky replied, “Never!”
“The four of you go away tomorrow but do separate in time. The Clarkes may not notice something”, said John.
“I go to bed. Goodnight”, Nicky said dead tired.
He went to his room.
When the young cowboy was away Manolito said, “Today or tomorrow he flips. Who knows what will happen then.”
“Tomorrow he may not be left alone. Or he will do something to himself”, said John.
In his room Nicky tried to sleep but that was hardly a success. His thoughts were at what his sister and brother-in-law had done to him. His thoughts got interrupted because Buck came in.
“I can’t sleep Buck”, said the boy.
“We all see hoe pressured you are. Try to relax”, Buck said calm.
“I try that but it won’t work. I must keep thinking about what my sister and brother-in-law have done and are still doing to me”, Nicky replied a bit upset.
“Tomorrow we are going to get them and then it is over for you to keep running. You must testify against them. Try to get some sleep because tomorrow it is early day”, replied Buck.
Feeling himself better Nicky finally falls in a deep sleep.
The next morning Buck, Nicky, Manolito and Blue went to Tucson to get hold of the Clarkes. Meanwhile John was at the sheriff to discuss the plan.
The sheriff said, “I give my full corporation. There is enough evidence to get them both behind bars.”
“Good. I will pass it on to the others”, said John.
He left the office and said to the others, “The sheriff gives his full corporation. Now it is up to you.”
“OK. Nicky, try to stay calm”, said Manolito.
“I will try. Let’s go”, replied the boy.
So said, so done.
At the saloon were Manolito and Blue while Buck and Nicky stayed outside.
Nicky said, “look who is coming there? That looks like my brother-in-law.”
“You are right. Go inside and warn Mano and Blue Boy”, Buck advised.
While Nicky was at the saloon Buck kept himself busy with his horse.
“That is my horse. I demand that you give it back now”, said Jesse to him.
Buck looked at him very amazed and said, “What did you say? I didn’t hear you too well.”
Then Nicky came around, looked at Buck and said, “We must go to the doctor for your hearing.”
“That is so. Come we go”, replied Buck.
They mounted on and rode out of town, leaving Jesse furiously behind. This one went after them.
Manolito and Blue went to Claire.
Inside Blue asked her calm, “I know where your little brother is. Must I take you to him?”
“Yes please”, said Claire who had noticed that she would get arrested. Though she saw the chance to get away.
When she was away Manolito said, “Come on Blue.”
They went after Claire. This one was easily to catch. Quite soon she was arrested then.
Meanwhile Buck and Nicky rode with Jesse at their heels. Buck and Nicky knew the area better than Jesse did and at a few close bushes they hid themselves. Jesse rode passed them so that Buck and Nicky could chase him.
Buck noticed how pressured the boy was and said, “Nick, relax. Come on, we must catch something.”
They went to hit the road again and soon they caught Jesse in their eye. Suddenly Nicky saw the chance to go ride next to him and he left Buck alone. This one didn’t leave his young friend alone and gave Rebel also the spurs. Jesse kept on looking behind him and suddenly Nicky rode next to him.
Jesse tried to push his brother-in-law from his horse but then Nicky jumped at him suddenly. Fighting they both fell on the ground. The horses came to standing still. By all pressure and anger Nicky knocked his brother-in-law out.
He gave him a kick while he said, “This one is because you killed my parents!”
He fell on the ground and all emotions came loose with him. Meanwhile Buck had arrived as well.
He went to sit next to Nicky and said, “Everything is alright now. Come then we bring him to the sheriff.”
They tied Jesse up and brought him to the sheriff where he had come round in the meantime.
Before the Clarkes were taken away by the sheriff Jesse said to Nicky, “I see you in court!”
John and Buck could stop the boy with very much difficulty.
“Nicky, you can relax now. They are now captured. Until the trail you stay at the High Chaparral”, John said to him.
He nodded.
About a week later John Cannon got the news that the court case Johnson against Clarke was coming up.
He said to Pedro, “Go to Buck and Nicky. Tell them that they must testify in Tucson in a week time.”
“Si señor Cannon”, this one said and he left at once.
That evening Nicky was very quiet during supper. All noticed that he was worried about the court case.
“Nick, you can hardly lose this case. The Clarkes are guilty of murder, theft, hostage and escape from jail”, John said.
“I know that but what if the judge is corrupted?”, Nicky asked.
“Judge Jackson isn’t that. We know him for years”, Buck said.
This was a relief for Nicky.
On the day of the court case Nicky was enormously nervous. No one could reassure him. Not even Buck. But strangely enough once in the courtroom he was quite calm.
When Jesse had to testify this one told that Nicky had done everything. Claire told the same. Hereby they became to stand strong but they hadn’t counted on the testimony of Buck.
He said, “Not only Nicky was being held hostage but me as well. Besides that he has stolen my horse on the day we found Nicky.”
When Nicky had to testify he told, “On the day that my parents died they were there all day. I saw my sister and brother-in-law both standing with a rifle but they didn’t see me. Suddenly there were shots to hear and when I came in they had just rode away. My mother was dead already and my father said, “Your sister and brother-in-law have done this. The ranch is yours. Do not sell.” Then he died in my arms.”
Hereby it was clear for Judge Jackson that Jesse and Claire were one hundred percent guilty. But at the moment that Nicky left from the witness-box he got shot in his left foot by the lawyer of the Clarkes. John and Buck were with him right away while Blue and Manolito conquered the lawyer. A doctor was fetched quickly.
John said to Nicky, “Just stay lying. The doctor is coming.”
Nicky lost the conscious and in that state he got brought home.
At home Nicky came round, saw John and Victoria at his bed and asked, “What has happened?”
“In the courtroom you got shot in your left foot but it is only a grazing shot. We do not know anything about the verdict yet but there can come news any moment”, said John.
Then Buck came into the bedroom and said, “Nicky, congratulations because the Clarkes are both convicted to twenty five years of prison life each.”
“You are kidding”, Nicky tried to say as an argument.
Blue said, “Uncle Buck can talk a lot of nonsense sometimes but not now. Judge Jackson will stop by also.”
Finally Nicky believed them. Hereby he started to become less insecure and he decided to stay at the ranch until he was recovered. This to delight of the Cannons.
After a few weeks Nicky was totally recovered and he was able to get on with his own life.
One day when Nicky and Blue were at the Johnson ranch Nicky said, “I have plans to rebuild up my ranch..”
“I will help you and Mano, pa and Uncle Buck also too I think. Let’s tell it at home”, replied Blue.
They did that.
In the living room Blue said, “Nicky has something to tell.”
“What is that Nicky?”, asked John.
Nicky first sighted deeply and said then, “Err, thanks for helping me. I can now face the future.”
“What are your future plans?”, John asked with interest.
“I am going to build up what my sister and brother-in-law have done to my ranch. I owe it my parents”, replied Nicky.
“Well, if you want we can help you”, suggested Buck.
The boy said, “No, you already have done too much for me. I can never pay it back to you. Never in a million years.”
“It is alright. We will miss you at the High Chaparral, but friends must help each other. We help you and you can pay us back by showing that you can run your ranch yourself”, John said smiling.
“You won’t regret it. That is a promise”, said Nicky said also smiling.