by Joel Baker
She and Mina were sitting at a new table the builders had just finished. Molly was still thinking about what Banner had told them, when they first met the Lakota.
“Mina,” Molly said. “I was wondering if you might be expecting a baby.”
“I don’t think so,” Mina said. “Why do you ask?”
“Shannon, my daughter, is an excellent healer,” Molly said. “She studied under a practitioner for years. She’s very good.”
“My mother was also a healer,” Mina said.
“Before she left,” Molly said. “Shannon mentioned that you might be expecting, and that I should keep an eye on you.”
“I guess it’s possible,” Mina said, her brow furrowed. “But if I am, it just happened.”
“She thought it would be a boy,” Molly said.
“Well, if she’s right,” Mina said. “Mato will be very happy. I just don’t know how she could tell this early.”
“Time will tell,” Molly said, smiling. “It always does.
****
The two men sat by a fire watching the glowing embers die out. It was unseasonably warm for the end of September and flashes of lighting in the distance, promised rain before morning. While it was still dry, it was possible the drought might be over before too long.
The wagon was backed up to the fire with the tailgate down. Shannon and Dalton were asleep under a buffalo robe in the bed of the wagon. The three Lakota warriors were asleep some distance out from the camp site. The dogs were out in the dark, finding something to eat. James looked across the fire at Mato. He was deep in thought.
“How far are we from Pueblo?” Mato asked.
“Five or six miles,” James said. “It could less. We should clear it tomorrow morning, and be at Colter Canyon in the afternoon.”
“How long will it take to recover your cache?” Mato asked.
“It’s buried behind the main house,” James said. I’d say half a day to dig it out. We should only be there a day or so.”
“Do you think we’ll be able to bring it all with just this wagon?” Mato asked.
“No,” James said. “We’ll be able to bring maybe half of it.”
There was silence for a while as each thought his own thoughts.
“I’m curious, Mato,” James said. “Why did you come on this trip? You could have had others come.”
“I wanted to learn more about you,” Mato said. “Cass thinks you Colters are good people. I’m still not sure you can be trusted. So, I came to watch you.”
“What happens if you decide we cannot be trusted?” James asked.
“I kill you, or you kill me,” Mato said. “Either way, Cass and the Lakota will know you cannot be trusted.”
“Fair enough,” James said. “There’s something else we need to discuss.”
“What’s that?” Mato asked.
“Tomorrow,” James said. “We’re going to be going through Pueblo. It was not a friendly place when we came through there before. I think you and your warriors should ride around the town, and meet us on the far side.”
“We will ride around it,” Mato said. “Is there anything else?”
“Yes,” James said. “We will have to be careful when we get to Colter Canyon. When we left, our neighbors had brought in a bunch of hired guns. They shouldn’t be anywhere near our old homestead, but if they are, we will have to be careful how we approach them.”
“Show me the layout,” Mato said.
James grabbed a stick and traced a map of the layout at Colter Canyon.
“Here’s the main house,” James said. “As you can see there is a high ridge running down both the east and west sides. This is the East Ridge. It’s right behind where the cache is buried. We’ll be riding in from north.”
“Will anyone be at the homestead?” Mato asked.
“There shouldn’t be,” James said. “If there are, they probably won’t be friendly.”
Mato studied the map for a while. He walked around it, studying it from different directions.
“How far is it from the top of the East Ridge to the main house?” Mato asked.
“No more than a hundred yards,” James said.
Mato picked up a stick.
“We will be here,” Mato said, pointing to the top of the East Ridge behind the main house. “I don’t like the idea of Dalton’s wife being with you, when you ride in there.”
“We’ll hold Shannon and the wagon back, until we know the place is safe,” James said.
“It is a good plan, James Colter,” Mato said, smiling.
****
Matthew and Nate helped some of the builders begin felling trees selected for size, and length. They used a crosscut saw to drop the tree and axes to trim the limbs off the trunk. They then used a measure stick to determine where to cut the tree to length. Once cut to length and trimmed, they dragged the logs to a collection point.
The cabin walls were built from hewn logs, and went up over the course of six days. The roof and floor boards kept stacked on the Center porch were laid in the following week. The stone fireplace and windows took an additional two weeks.
By the first week in October, the builders brought Molly for a tour of the cabin. She took Fala and Matthew through the cabin, once the builders had left for the night.
“Can you believe it?” Molly asked. “Just look how every log is fitted.”
“This is beautiful, Molly,” Fala said. “It smells so good, and the cabinets are wonderful!”
“It’s only got the one room,” Matthew said.
“There’s the loft,” Fala said. “That could be like a bedroom.”
“I love the porch,” Molly said. “It really helps to keep the dirt and snow outside the cabin.”
“I miss glass windows,” Fala said. “I guess we were spoiled with those.”
“The cheesecloth lets some light in,” Molly said. “The shutters really help when it’s storming.”
“I just love this place,” Fala said, looking around.
“Would you like it?” Molly said.
“We couldn’t,” Fala said. “It’s meant for you and James.”
“You take it,” Molly said. “You’re just starting a family. James and I can wait.”
“Let’s not decide now,” Matthew said. “I think we need to talk to Shannon and Dalton, when they get back.”
“With any luck, Matthew,” Molly said. “Maybe the builders will have another cabin almost complete by then. Then you can help James build our cabin.”
True to their word, the builders returned and started on the second cabin. It was beginning to turn cold, and leaves were cascading from the trees. Molly went for a walk with little Jason in the woods. The ground was ankle deep in leaves; a steady cold wind blew from the north. Molly stopped and watched Jason running in circles, and throwing sticks in the air.
Suddenly the sunlight darkened and a chill ran down Molly‘s back. She instantly knew something was wrong. The chill wasn’t from the wind or the leaves. It was a chill of premonition. A sudden knowing that something had gone wrong, terribly wrong. She thought of James and knew she was right. Please God, bring James home to me, Molly thought. In the distance, Molly could hear the howl of many dogs. Each howl sent another shiver down her back.
****
The dogs came back to where James, Mato and others slept. Shannon was the first to rise and stir new life from the coals of last night’s fire. She made a pot of chicory coffee, and a skillet full of thick slices of buffalo bacon. The others began to wake up and gather around the smell of food.
Did you get to the town? Shannon asked the dogs.
Yes, the lead tracker said.
Were there many people? Shannon asked.
The dog wasn’t sure how to answer, so he just cocked his head and stood there.
Was there much noise? Shannon asked.
Yes, tracker said.
Was there water in the river? Shannon asked.
Yes, tracker said.
As the men ate, Shannon told them indirectly what the tracker had told her.
“They must have had rain,” James said. “At least as far down as Pueblo. Shannon, do you remember the road around Pueblo to the west?”
“Yes,” Shannon said. “Do you want me to take the wagon around the town?”
“I think it would be best,” James said. “Mato and his warriors can go with you. Dalton and I will ride through town. I don’t want anyone to find out we’re pulling an empty wagon. It might make someone curious.”
The dogs left camp first, followed by Shannon and the Lakota. Dalton and James arrived on the outskirts of Pueblo mid-morning. It was certainly busier than it had been when they came through heading north. There were even several small boats tied up to the docks. Other than some curious looks, no one bothered the Colters as they passed through the town. James was interested to see one of the merchants had reopened the doors of his store.
Dalton thought someone had followed them out of town, and turned back, for a short time. No one was there. The wagon and Lakota were waiting for them some distance south of the town. It was an easy ride from there to Colter Canyon. They arrived outside the canyon during the late afternoon.
Mato and Dalton crawled up to the top of the rise just north of the Colter cabins. Dalton counted five horses in the corral, and saw smoke coming from the chimney of the main house. They backed off the rise and reported what they saw to James and the others.
Dalton blindfolded the horse team pulling Shannon’s wagon. It would keep them from calling out once the other horses left. Mato and his warriors headed for the rise overlooking the cabins. Dalton checked his weapons, and kissed Shannon goodbye. He and James rode over the rise and down into Colter Canyon.
As they came into sight of the cabin, they could see some activity on the porch. Dalton saw four men emerge from the cabin and stand in the shade of the front porch. All were heavily armed and looked like they knew how to use their weapons.
“Remember,” Dalton said, quietly. “You start from the right and I’ll start from the left. We’ll meet in the middle.”
James knew exactly what he meant. He rode in slightly ahead and to the right of Dalton. They stopped fifteen feet from the men, standing on the porch. The sun was behind the Colters, but the men were still in the shadow of the porch roof.
“Gentlemen,” James said. “What are you doing in my cabin?”
“Who the hell are you?” The big one on the left said.
“I’m James Colter,” James said. “I assume you’re Frank Butler’s men?”
“Not anymore,” the big man said, grinning. “And this place isn’t yours anymore, either.”
James could tell Dalton was looking around for the more men. There’d been five horses in the corral.
“You’re planning on taking my cabin?” James asked.
“We ain’t planning nothing,” the man said. “We already done it.”
“Are you really willing to die for this place?” James asked.
Two of the men looked nervously over at the big man, and then back at James. They didn’t seem to be as sure as the big man. It was then Dalton leaned over his horses shoulder and spit. James knew it was time and counted to three.
James went for his gun. As he cleared leather, he heard Dalton open up on the big man. James turned towards the man on the right just as a body fell from the roof of the cabin. He glanced at the falling man, as the gunman on the right fired. The bullet caught James in the head, cart wheeling him off the back of his horse from the impact. Dalton shot the last man three times, before his trigger fell on an empty cylinder.
Shannon drove the wagon into Colter Canyon at the sound of the first shot. She pulled up hard on the horses next to Dalton, who sat in the dirt cradling James head in his arms. Blood covered Dalton’s arms and hands.
Mato swung up onto his horse and raced down the East Ridge with his warriors in hot pursuit. He’d watched as the fifth man climbed on the roof of the cabin. He saw him sight down on James and Dalton. Matos shot hit the man in the back of his head. Unfortunately, the man had tumbled from the roof in front of James.
Shannon jumped from the wagon and raced to Dalton’s side.
“Is he dead?” Shannon asked, afraid of the answer.
“I don’t know,” Dalton said a break in his voice. “How are we ever going to tell Molly?”
Shannon put her head to James chest and listened.
“We’re not going to tell her anything,” Shannon said. “He’s still alive.”
Chapter 16
Shannon sat on the ground cradling James bleeding head in her lap. She yanked her shirt out of her jeans and ripped the tail of the shirt into a rag. She wadded it into a pad and pressed hard against the side of her father’s head. The bleeding seemed to slow.
“Get some water,” Shannon said.
Dalton ran to the wagon and pulled a large canteen from beneath the seat. Shannon poured water over James head and examined the wound. She looked up as Mato and his men rode up. They dismounted and stood watching Shannon working on her father.
“I can’t find an exit wound,” Shannon said, poking with her fingers. “I think it may have been a glancing blow. It tore his ear up. Can someone get me a clean blanket or cloth out of the cabin?”
Dalton and Mato both disappeared into the cabin. Shannon wiped more blood from the side of James head. She found a lump behind his torn ear. It looked like a part of the bullet may have lodged under the skin. She also found the vein leaking blood down the side of his head. She applied pressure and the bleeding almost stopped completely.
“Dalton,” Shannon called. “Bring be a large cloth from the cabin! What’s taking so long?”
Dalton came running out of the cabin with a large piece of linen curtain. Shannon thought Dalton looked ashen white.
“Good,” Shannon said, once she saw the material was linen. “Now rip it into strips four inches wide. What’s wrong Dalton? You look like you just saw a ghost.”
“Frank and Rachael Butler are in the cabin,” Dalton said. “They’re dead. They didn’t die an easy death either. There’s no cleaning that place up. We’re going to have to burn the cabin down when we leave.”
Shannon looked up at Dalton and nodded her head. Mato and his men were dragging the five dead men into the cabin. She looked back down at James when she heard a groan.
“Find me a flat stone two inches across,” Shannon said.
She washed the wound again and saw that it was still leaking blood. Dalton handed her a flat stone. Shannon washed the stone and placed it carefully on the source of the bleeding. She rewrapped the strip of cloth pressing the stone tightly against the vein. If this failed to stop the bleeding, Shannon would have to stitch the vein shut. As it was, she would have to sew the top flap of James ear back in place.
“We’ve got to move him to some shelter,” Shannon said. “Get the buffalo robe. We can carry him over to the other cabin.”
Mato and his men helped Dalton carry the buffalo robe. James made no more sounds and didn’t look good to Dalton. Once they made it to the small cabin, they carried James in and placed him on the bed. The sun was setting and the room was already cooling. Shannon asked Mato to build a fire and to heat some water. James seemed to rest comfortably on the soft mattress. Shannon kept his feet elevated to prevent shock.
“Dalton,” Shannon asked. “Could you bring me my medicines from the wagon?”
Shannon continued examining James. His eyes were centered and appeared to be properly dilated. Dalton entered the cabin carrying Shannon’s bag of medicine. She took the bag and found the needles and thin thread she used for surgical stitching. She removed the bandage and the stone beneath it. The bleeding had slowed to a trickle.
Dalton watched as Shannon examined the ear. She decided to place a couple of stitches on the vein and reattach the top of his ear. She made a quick poultice of lavender, prickly pear cactus, and some stiff goldenrod to help stop the bleeding. The poul
tice was tied in place with a second tight bandage. Shannon checked his breathing and was encouraged. She’d done all she could, for now.
The men were talking out on the small porch so she washed her hands and joined them.
“Warriors don’t shovel,” Mato said.
“We need to get the cache out of the ground,” Dalton said. “It’s not going to uncover itself.”
“You should have thought about that before you shot all those men,” Mato said.
“Are you kidding me?” Dalton asked.
“You have no sense of humor,” Mato said, giving him a big grin.
“If you two are finished,” Shannon said. “Mato, have one of your men go find some prairie chickens. There are usually some on the other side of the East Ridge. I’ll fire up the cook stove. Dalton, go see if you can prime the pump and get it working. We’re going to have to boil more water.”
Both men stood looking at Shannon.
“Is it something I said?” Shannon asked.
“I think I’ll have one of my men, go shoot some prairie chickens for supper,” Mato said. “There may be some on the other side of this ridge.”
“Good idea,” Dalton said. “I think I’ll go check out the well. We’re going to need more water while we’re here.”
“Men,” Shannon muttered, as she turned and went back in the cabin.
****
The dogs disappeared shortly after the Lakota began work on the Colters cabins. Matthew asked Banner where they went, and all Banner told him was they were close. Matthew wasn’t concerned. The dogs had a history of disappearing from time to time.
Molly had tried, but couldn’t shake the premonition about James from the other day. She took long walks through the fallen leaves during the warm afternoons. She wrapped a shawl tightly around her shoulders against the cool nights. Molly walked alone with her thoughts.
Fala noticed Molly had lost interest in the construction of the second cabin. Molly also stopped checking the progress of the crew cutting wood behind the Center. At first Fala assumed Molly just missed James. After several days, Fala decided it was more than that.
