by Patrick Shea
Wiley said, “Yes I did and I’m pleased you remember.”
As Ben shook hands with the three of them he smiled and said, “I’m pleased to meet the three of you. My grandfather had told me about the Blue Wolf Ranch and about you Mr. Klein.”
Samantha liked what she saw in Ben. He was a nice looking kid with dark straight hair and a confident look about him, at least for a sixteen year old. He was wearing a western shirt and western boots, with blue jeans and a John Deere baseball cap. He skin was darker than his grandfathers and he had the weathered look of someone who spent a lot of time outdoors. He definitely wasn’t the merchant type.
Sam surprised Will and Ned when she said, “I think we should spend a little time getting to know each other, there’s a coffee shop up the street, why don’t we sit down and talk for a while, if that’s okay with you Mr. Withers.”
Mel looked at Ben and Wiley who smiled and nodded and said, “I think that’s a good idea Sam, I’ll even buy the coffee.”
As they drank coffee Sam learned that Ben’s mother had been the daughter of a local rancher and a Lakota Sioux woman. That explained his complexion and to some extent his love of the outdoors. When Ben spoke of his mother and father he did so with obvious love. She could tell he still missed them.
They talked for almost an hour with Sam making sure she asked Ben questions directly and otherwise included him in the conversation. He smiled easily a couple of times and then remembered the circumstances and became serious. Sam could understand the emotions he was going through.
Finally Ben looked at Sam and said, “Ms. Klein I’m a little nervous about this but I want you to know that my grandfather and I talked about this meeting till late last night. When we realized I was a survivor we knew I’d have to be alone through the early days and I’ve been preparing for that. I worry about being young and without a lot of experience, but on the other hand I also know I’m a good outdoorsman. My grandfather has taught me well, and I’m proud of both my western and my Indian heritage, so I’ve tried to learn all I could about both cultures.
“I hadn’t planned on meeting any other survivors early on, and I’d guess you feel the same way. So I just want to say that if you want to go your own way I’d understand that. But if you think we might both be better off if we teamed up I’d consider that also. It’s a big decision for both of us so maybe we should think about it and talk again in the next day or two. We don’t have to decide today.”
Sam looked at Ben with a bit of amazement. She hadn’t expected this level of forethought or maturity from a sixteen year old.
She responded, “Ben, I think that’s a great idea. I agree that we don’t have to decide today, but I have to tell you my first impressions of you are good. Your grandfather has a right to be proud of you; he’s obviously raised you well. Let’s think about what we’re getting into overnight and I’ll meet you right here for coffee at nine o’clock tomorrow and we’ll talk again; just the two of us.”
Ben smiled at her and said, “I’d like that, I’ll be here at nine sharp.”
Mel said, “Well, that sounds like a great plan. For now let’s go look at the RVs. I’ve owned one of these for years and I’ll show you how to operate everything. You’ll each have one but they are identical. I’ll show you what our group has spent the last week doing in terms of outfitting the vehicles.”
Mel took them through the RVs. Both were four wheel drives with large Caterpillar diesel engines, which Mel told them they would need for towing, and for mountain driving. Both had automatic transmissions although both Sam and Ben had grown up driving manual shift vehicles.
The most interesting part of the tour was seeing how they were outfitted. Mel explained that they had prepared them for western people who would want to have horses if possible. The RVs would be on the road alone so they felt that each one could pull two trailers without a problem. The first trailer would include the freezer compartment Jack Sweeney’s group had recommended, but the trailer would be twice as large. Half of it was freezer compartment and the other half contained six fifty gallon drums of diesel fuel. Each one was linked to the next by a flexible fuel hose, and the lead drum was connected to a small electric pump which was to be used to refuel the RV. Mel said this probably wasn’t needed in other regions of the country but in the northwest there could be long distances between working gas stations.
Mel also explained that they had chosen diesel engines based on reports about the number of cars driving across the country. Gasoline was being used in large quantities whereas truckers were driving home and staying there. They thought that diesel fuel would be easier to find.
The second trailer for each RV was a thirty-two foot Elite horse trailer capable of carrying fourteen horses. Each trailer had been prepared to carry two horses and was outfitted with enough feed to last both horses through the first winter. Additionally, one of the stalls had been equipped with a four wheel drive all-terrain vehicle, a snowmobile and a twenty-five gallon drum of fuel for each. Mel explained that they had included these in case of emergency.
All available space in both trailers and in the RV itself had been filled with provisions of some sort.
After the tour Mel looked at both of them and said, “We’ve used our imaginations to stock everything we think you’ll need. We tried not to include any luxury items. If you can think of something we’ve missed let me know and I’ll make sure you get it. Where ever you go you are going to be snowed into your winter camp so we’ve provisioned you for a long winter.
“Everything Jack Sweeney has recommended about communication gear and computers we’ve included. We’ve also included a variety of movies and music CDs, but we didn’t go overboard. If you have favorites you’ll need to take them yourselves.”
Sam looked at Mel and said, “Mr. Withers I’m overwhelmed by the town’s generosity in preparing the RVs. I have no way of repaying you for this but I assure you it will be used to help build a future, and I will remember you and the town for this.”
Mel said, “You can’t do more than that.
“Now it’s time for you to take this gear home. The trailers are in the courthouse parking lot. We’ll need to hook up the freezer compartment trailer to the RV. We’ve hooked up the horse trailer to an extra pickup truck just so you can get it home a little easier. Don’t worry about the trucks; no one will need them anytime soon.
“We finished stocking the freezer last night so the motor has been running since then. We’ll run the cables to the RV once we hook it up so it can run off its own generator or off the one in the RV. You’ll need to run the engine on the RV for about an hour a day to keep the batteries charged enough to run the generator. The winter weather will really help. The colder it is outside the less you’ll need to run the freezer motor. Of course you’ll need to run the furnace more. You should fill all your diesel tanks when you settle in at your winter camp.
“You won’t have enough fuel to last the winter no matter where you end up. That’s one of the reasons we included the snowmobile. You will need to find diesel fuel somewhere and transport it to the RV. You’ll see that we included a sled for the snowmobile and it has a fifty gallon drum secured sideways on it, along with an electric siphon pump. All you’ll have to do is find any diesel fueled vehicle and siphon the fuel from the tank to the drum. Of course if you were near a gas station that would be best. We’ve also included a heavy duty snow blower; you may have to move a lot of snow to get to the fuel.”
They drove home with Sam in the RV, Will in his pickup truck and Ned in the pickup truck with the horse trailer.
As they sat around the living room that evening they went over the inventory of goods that the town had included in the vehicles. Every item was listed along with a description of its location. Sam was more than impressed by the thought that had gone into preparing the vehicles, and the inventory.
She said, “I can’t think of anything they left out, even female only stuff is included. That must have been adde
d after Ned talked with Mel yesterday morning. Everything on the list has a reason for being there. I’m really impressed.”
Ned said, “I am too. But I’m worried about the fuel problem. If you end up in the high country you’ll need access to fuel, and it’s scarce in those parts. I think you need to make that your first priority once you settle on your camp. It would be great if you could find a fuel source nearby.”
Will said, “I agree with that, but maybe you’ll get lucky Sam. If you can get to the Yellowstone hot springs, there is a filling station near the main lodge and it carries diesel fuel. I know because I’ve filled my truck there. Do you have any idea what the snowfall has been in the park?”
“I checked the web earlier. The park is closed now just like it is each year. But the town of West Yellowstone has only recorded about two feet of snow so far. That’s where I plan on entering the park since that’s the closest entrance to the hot springs area. It’s also the lowest part of the park so I won’t have any major passes to deal with. It is out of the way, but if I try the north entrance I could get snowed in even before I get to the park. The roads to the west entrance should be more accessible.
“There is a state D.O.T. site in West Yellowstone, so if I can get there I should be able to use one of the state’s snow trucks to clear the road to the hot springs. If I remember right it’s only about twenty-five miles from the town to the springs.
“I think it’s critical for me to get there not only for myself but for Steel as well. I hate the thought of him spending most of his days in that horse trailer, even if it is heated. If I can get to the springs he can graze around them all winter long, and we can exercise together during good weather.”
“You two have both been quiet about Ben. It’s time to talk about him and I need your honest opinions.”
Will spoke first and said, “I have to tell you, I like what I’ve seen to this point. He seems like a good young man, but the problem is that first impressions may not be good enough. Spending a winter in isolation with him is a lot different than having coffee with him.”
Ned looked up and said, “I made some calls on my cell on the drive back here. I called a couple of my old teachers at the high school and asked them about Ben. Two of them know him pretty well, and they both spoke highly of him. One talked about what a good student he was, especially in math and science. The other talked about his love of history. They both thought he was polite and respectful, although they both said he was a little on the reserved side. Not out of being shy, but just quiet by nature. He talked only when he could add something. Those are good recommendations, but from two people that see him from only one perspective. I wish I knew one of his neighbors who might know him from a different perspective.”
Sam said, “Mel called me on the way home and said he was calling to test my cell phone since he wanted to register the number on the survivor web site. While we were talking he said that he had spoken to a number of people he had known all of his life who would vouch for Ben. He’s never been in trouble and he’s always worked, even during school, and he is one of the more polite young people around.”
Will said, “He’s sounding better all the time. You must have liked him right off the bat for you to have invited him and his grandfather to coffee.”
“I did, I liked his easy manner even though he had every right to be nervous. If he had been cocky or sullen I wouldn’t have made the offer. I liked him even more after we talked for a while. I’m glad to hear only good things about him. I’ll have coffee and a frank conversation with him in the morning, and if that works out alright I’ll offer to partner with him. Of course he’ll have to agree to winter in Yellowstone; if he doesn’t we’ll just have to go our separate ways.”
The next morning Sam met Ben for coffee as planned. After greeting Ben she asked a lot of questions and for every answer Ben gave she gave a corresponding answer of her own. It was an easy conversation and Sam decided Ben was the kind of person she would get along with.
She then asked, “What are you thinking of in terms of your first stop?”
“Pop, that’s what I call my grandfather, Pop. Anyway, Pop and I have been talking about a number of options. After seeing the weight of the vehicles the town prepared for us the options have gotten smaller. I don’t want to go east and we don’t think I should try to cross the mountains until spring. Pop has a friend with a cabin on the Madison River south of Deer lodge. He thinks that’s my best bet. It’s an area I’ve been to a couple of times on fishing trips with Pop and I know it pretty well. The cabin is nice and I wouldn’t mind spending the winter there. It’s heated by firewood only but there is plenty available. How about you, what are you considering?”
“I’m thinking of trying to get to the hot springs area of Yellowstone. I thought it would make an easier winter for both me and the horses. Have you thought about that at all?”
“Yeah, we talked about it but Pop thought it would be snowed in by now.”
“I agree it might be, but it might not be. I’ve been thinking about using a D.O.T. snowplow to clear the road if it isn’t too bad. That would be kind of tough for one person but having two people working together would make the job a lot easier. Would you consider teaming up with me and giving that a try?”
Ben could hardly keep from smiling, “I’d like that. When I first heard about another survivor here I wasn’t too excited and neither was Pop. Then after meeting you yesterday I decided it might be okay. After spending this last hour with you I was starting to get nervous thinking you might want to go it alone.”
Sam smiled at him and said, “I feel the same way. We should make a good team. I can outwork most men and I think hard work is going to be the difference between those survivors who do well and those that don’t.”
“I agree, and I’ve never been afraid of hard work myself.
“Pop said if it came to this that he would like to talk with you. Do you have time to visit him at his shop?”
“Sure I do. I saw you park next to my truck so I’ll follow you over.”
Ben unlocked the front door to the shop and relocked it after they had entered. As they entered Wiley looked up and smiled and said, “I guess this means the two of you are going to work together. I’m glad to hear that. You’re going to have a tough life under the best of conditions and being alone would only make it harder. I’m glad you two think you would make a good team.”
Wiley looked at Sam and asked, “Sam have you thought about where to winter? I have a friend with a cozy cabin in the southern part of the state. Did Ben tell you about it?”
“Yes he did. We also talked about going on to Yellowstone from there and wintering in the hot springs area if the roads are passable. Ben agreed to give that a try, and if it doesn’t work we can use the cabin. The other thing I like about the cabin is that we’ll have a place to cache the RVs and the trailers if we want to. That would make checking out and even clearing the roads easier for us.”
“That makes good sense to me.”
While Wiley was talking they had followed him through a doorway into the back of the shop. They had entered a neat and clean workroom. The room was brightly lit with a white linoleum floor, a white ceiling and bright yellow walls. Along the full length of the back wall a workbench had been built and the entire length of the wall above the workbench was covered with cupboards and cubby holes. The shelves underneath the workbench were full of unusual looking tools. Sam realized she was looking at the workroom of a specialized craftsman and her respect for Wiley jumped a notch. She was also impressed with the computer work station built into the end of the workbench. Wiley had obviously joined the modern west.
Wiley said, “I do a lot of custom work here for my customers. I’ve always loved this part of my job. The actual store is just a necessary piece. I have a couple of things for you to add to your RVs. One of them is a specialized sniper rifle. Ben, help me with this box please.”
He grabbed the handle on one end of a wooden bo
x and Ben took the other and they lifted the box onto the workbench. Wiley then used a small pry bar to open the box. As he did so he said, “A friend of mine commandeered this rifle when I told him about Ben being a survivor. He also brought seven hundred rounds of ammunition and ten extra clips. That’s all there is so when that’s gone you can throw the rifle away.
“It’s called a ZR-50 and my friend calls it the best prototype he’s ever seen. It’s a fifty caliber sniper gun that shoots a five round clip and is almost recoilless. The barrel actually recoils into a compression chamber in the stock so you don’t have to be a huge guy to be able to absorb the shock of firing it. In the right hands this can do damage at up to two miles. By damage I mean it can pierce the engine block of a vehicle at that range.
“There aren’t but a handful of shooters in the world who can shoot at that range and I don’t recommend you wasting ammunition by doing so. But Ben has been shooting his entire life and he’s a good marksman. Better than me. If you have to use this I’d recommend Ben shoot it at a range of up to a mile. I don’t know if you’ll ever need a gun like this but if you do this is the best.
“I’ll show Ben how to shoot it and how to break it down to clean it. It also has a pretty good manual that came with it.
“There isn’t a lot more I can offer you except for these envelopes. I’ve called a couple of friends of mine who have gun shops in the southern part of the state. They’ve told me how to get into their shops and how to get into their gun safes. All the information you need is in these envelopes. If you need additional ammunition this is the best way to get it. Almost all dealers keep the ammunition locked up and those safes are almost impossible to open without the combination so I hope this will help you.
“I mention this because I want the two of you to practice shooting both the rifles and the handguns all winter long. Pick up the extra ammunition as you pass by these places and use it all. By spring I want you to both be at the professional level with all of your weapons. You’ll be living in a world without laws and you have to be able to protect yourselves. Sam, I’m going to include some extras for you and Ben that I’ll put in Ben’s RV. Small stuff like decent holsters, back up pistols, hearing protection, gun oil and the like.”
