Story Repent, or Repeat

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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#360

Corbin chuckled to himself, as he arranged his bedroll. As a precaution, he didn't remove his clothes or boots, and was glad when Mason woke him by tapping on his foot. The two wagons were staged back to back, and the young man was standing on his back step, leaning over and tapping insistently on Corbin's boot.

It was as dark as the inside of a motorman's glove, but it was the sounds, that had the two Atwoods on high alert.

Drunken voices mumbled and swore, as at least two men tried to find their 'easy pickens' as they called them.

"Conn, I can't see where the hell I'm goin. "Er ya sure these dudes had money?"

"Hesh Ralph, you want to let them know we're comin, Yer the blamdest blabbermouth I ever heard." Conn stumbled around and squealed like a little girl when Corbin poked him in the ribs with the rifle barrel.

"Wadda ya mean I'm a blabbermouth, you ever listen to yerself right now. You sound like some little girl that had her pet cat mashed." that rant ended when Mason jammed his rifle barrel in the man's stomach.

"Here now, don't you be swinging on me, you mangy idiot. I got rights,...ya know." the man's voice tapered off when Corbin growled at them to stand still with their hands up.

"I cain't," the man whined, "I gotta bad shoulder and cain't get my hand up as far as my shoulder." Mason gave the sniveling man a whack on the head with his pistol butt. There was a sound as the man went down in a heap.

"He walked into a whack on the head. Shaddup, or you're next;" Mason adopted Corbin's growl

"Ralph, Ralph, where are ya, don't you go getting pussyfooted on me and head back to town. Waddya do, walk into sumthin?" The woozy-boozy voice tried to be in control, as he dumbly repeated Mason's instructions.

"Whack him," Corbin's voice was tinged with impatience and anger. Mason seemed a little eager to comply, as he promptly followed Uncle's instructions.

"We need to gag and tie them up. Nothing makes me angrier than to have my sleep interrupted by a couple of drunk idiots." Corbin was snarling and that made even Mason want to stay out of his way.

Corbin held the flashlight while Mason trussed up the intruders and drug them away from the wagons. "We'll let them go in the morning, let's go back to sleep, I don't think we need to continue a watch," Corbin stated forcefully as he crawled back into his wagon; leaving Mason to wonder how the old man could be so positive they were done with incoming raiders.
 
ted

ted

Veteran Member
Thank you, the head ache they will have in the morning will make them forget there were strangers around. Maybe.
 
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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#361

"You sure are a cantankerous old coot this morning. What happened? you get out on the wrong side of the bed?" Mason snapped back at his uncle when Corbin growled about how long the coffee was taking to perk.

"I dunno, there was just something that set me off about those two idiots." Corbin looked over to where the two trussed up turkeys were beginning to squirm on the ground. "Let's get breakfast over, I want to get a move on."

Mason took a spoonful of re-heated stew, and spit it right back out. "Blamed stuff has soured. How old is this stuff anyway?"

"Couple of days, at least," Corbin shrugged, it made no never mind to him. "Dump it, let's get going."

Mason scraped the dutchie clean with a spoon, took a cup of water and swished the liquid around, and then dumped the remains.
Corbin was busy hitching horses to his wagon, going back to help Mason when he had finished. Both men took overlarge mugs of coffee and a few sticks of jerky to chew on for breakfast.

Corbin climbed to his wagon seat and clucked to his team. They started forward and that left Mason shouting, "what about the two robbers?"

"Cut their leg tie," Corbin shouted back, and turned around to look ahead. Trained to follow the lead wagon, Mason's team obediently started up, leaving Mason to run out to the two robbers and take a swift swipe with his knife on the leg ropes.

Turning around, he had to run like the devil was after him, to reach the back of his wagon. Taking a jump to land on the back step and spook his saddle horse that was trailing behind, Mason was thinking plumb uncharitable thoughts about dear old uncle Corbin.

Corbin kept up a punishing pace all morning, thinking that they needed to hustle faster than they were traveling.



Robert called a wagon master's meeting that night, for the weekly update on where they were and the direction they were headed. "I plan to start angling North tomorrow. We need to stay above the wide bend in the Missouri that will be on our left. We will be heading for Iowa, and then head out West, approximately the same direction as I 70 used to take. Are there any questions?"

Jainy had a question, "how many more rivers will we need to cross?" she shivered in recollection of the nearly disasterous Mississippi crossing.

"Too many to count," Robert replied honestly. "That's why we are pushing North. The further we go, the smaller the rivers will be."
Jainy nodded that she understood, unhappy about the situtation.

There weren't any meaningless platitudes given, the trek was simply dangerous and they had to play it out. "Any other questions?" he asked.

As the group broke up for bedtimes, Clora walked over to Clara, who was holding her shawl tightly around her shoulder and looking out into the dark, velvet night.

"He's coming," Clora whispered, "keep the faith."

Clara whispered back her thanks, turning to give Clora a small smile. "I hope I'm not being a foolish old woman. I can't help but feel like I've been struck by lightening."

"Good," Clora replied with a chuckle, "that's the way it's supposed to be."
 
Texican

Texican

Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
As the group broke up for bedtimes, Clora walked over to Clara, who was holding her shawl tightly around her shoulder and looking out into the dark, velvet night.

"He's coming," Clora whispered, "keep the faith."

Clara whispered back her thanks, turning to give Clora a small smile. "I hope I'm not being a foolish old woman. I can't help but feel like I've been struck by lightening."

"Good," Clora replied with a chuckle, "that's the way it's supposed to be."

Love bites whenever it wishes....

Thanks Pac for the chapter....

Texican....
 
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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#362

Shooter, You are correct, about I 70 and 80. I want them headed for Kansas City, (for a reason, along approx. I 70) and there has to be some confusion and some bad decisions. For one thing, they are not scouting far enough ahead, to have a good idea of the terrain, the amount of rough grade and as far as I know, the clan doesn't have a clear goal of where they want to settle.

(For as many other problems as they have been through, I certainly can't make the journey too easy.) Did anyone notice Robert re-joined the wagon train and didn't say a word about the smoke?



Robert had the camp up and moving early; much earlier than before, and it fussed a few of the mama's. There was polite grumbling, but everyone pitched in and got a good hour's time, better start.

Donny was firmly ahold of the reins, not giving Andy a snowball's chance in the middle of August, to usurp his job. Andy gave his brother a wicked, dark look; and rode out to where Robert was gesturing him to come.

"We need to scout the way; I'm worried we're not far enough North to miss the mountains around the Ozarks. I want you to be prepared tomorrow morning with a bedroll and a camp outfit; we'll be gone several days." Robert was busy talking, and not watching his assistant. Andy looked impassive, but he wasn't happy about the assignment.

"I was planning on heading West toward where the town of Columbus used to be. That's two problems to solve. Trailing through town usually causes problems, but we still need to re-provision at every opportunity. It's close to a hundred miles to Columbus, that's 8 or 9 days of long hard travel."

"Yeah," Andy didn't trust himself to say anything more.

"Com'on, we need to make tracks," Robert sounded annoyed with Andy's slowness, as he looked over his shoulder and started to canter off.

Andy sighed and turned his gelding to follow Robert.

Mark watched the two scouts move out ahead, he was in charge of the lumbering set of wagons. It wasn't hard to wish they could move faster. Mark had a 70mph urge to travel, on a clop, clop reality.

If they urged the horses any faster that the sturdy pulling walk, they had handling problems. The ladies driving were settling in to be good teamsters, but they didn't need extra problems. So Mark tried to curb the frustrations he was feeling, and smile like he meant it.


Robert was scouting the land as they rode ahead. He was mentally figuring the miles needed to travel, against the miles they could actually accomplish. There was no joke about the problems they had. They needed to travel faster, and longer. This wasn't a stroll to a picnic, they were on. Robert felt the urgency to get the clan safely West, but they weren't going to make it before winter set in. Especially if they wanted to build, garden and be able to withstand a winter that would stress the best of their intentions.

Robert was trying to recall the lay of the land, and he was wondering if they wouldn't be better in the long run if they considered settling in the hills around Des Moines.

There was water, trees for building and best of all, the soil was some of the best the United States had to offer. If they turned North soon they could possibly reach Des Moines by the second week in August. If they worked hard, they could be ready for winter, in time.



Corbin set a punishing pace. His team stopped fidgeting and leaned into the harness as he tapped those that were faking with the tip of the whip. The heavy freight wagons were slowly gaining on the clan; but there was no way for them to know that fact.


Mark, with his time to ponder the situtation, was slowly coming to the conclusion they would never make it far enough West, before winter would set in. They were on the Eastern edge of the Great American desert. if they started across, it could possibly be winter before they made it into Montana or Utah.

Hard choices, hard decisions. The first one would be, they needed to begin travel an hour after daylight. It was simply taking too long to begin traveling in the morning. He sympathized with the ladies, but they were going to have to do different. There was no other solution to the problem.

An hour's additional travel in the morning and at night would gain them precious days. It would be unpopular, but as the men were heads of their families, they would understand the reasons. They in turn could help their own family deal with the revised rules.

Mark rode up to Donny. "Can you stretch them out a little, we need to get more speed.

"Yes Sir, but the ladies don't like to travel fast."

"They'll get used to it," Mark said shortly, "We're to the point we don't have a choice in the matter."

Donny gathered up the reins on his placid, dawdling team and slapped the reins on the plump rumps and got the team stepping smartly out. Mark watched and was satisfied with the pace.

Mark rode back to Clora and called out for her to increase her speed. Down the line he rode, telling the drivers they were increasing the pace and to stay up with the wagon ahead. The horses were still in excellent condition, they had been babied up to now, and now, they were going to earn their oats.

There was mumbling and under breath grumbling when the usual time to stop for the evening, was ignored. It was nearly dusk when Mark called a halt for the night.

Robert and Andy had returned and Mark explained the new rules, as they traveled on to the meadow and creek Robert had selected as a stopping place.

"I've been thinking the same thing. We need to have another meeting tonight, and I need to talk to you about considering the Des Moines area for homesteading. It has everything we need and require. The big plus would be the fact we could get there in enough time to put up cabins, and plant fall gardens. I'm just throwing the idea out for consideration." Robert talked in a rush to get his thoughts out, before Mark nixed it.

Mark was quiet, mulling over the big change in the plans. Finally he nodded and said. "Tonight, we'll all talk again."
 
ted

ted

Veteran Member
Thank you, would be some hard work but would pay off I believe. It would also help the lightning struck gent to catch up.
 
sssarawolf

sssarawolf

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Yes things change and sometimes we need to do the same with our plans. Something that isn't well liked by all. Thank you Pac.
 
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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#363

The evening's meeting was noisy, with firm held opinions expressed with loud convictions. It appeared to split the clan members in half. Mark was a little amazed at the contentious division. Some like Milo had a dreamy look as they waxed poetic about living in the West and how great the seasons were without the horrendous humidity they had been living with.

The other half snorted in derision; pointing out that there might not be a West that would support living. "How are we to know?" was the opposition's main theme. "Mark was out there, he has told many a tale of the mud and utter devastation all the way into Eastern Washington and Idaho." Toby argued in his best lawyer fashion.

Gary shuffled his feet and started muttering. "Have any of you been in Eastern Montana, it's still desert, the same as Eastern Idaho, Utah and all of Nevada. Folks, that's not good farming ground, certainly not as lush and loamy as Iowa. Now Iowa has problems, humidity, tornados, but I'll tell ya, you can drop seed in the ground and grow anything. There's woods, hills and water everywhere."

His words fell on mostly deaf ears.

Men like Bruce, Seamus, Oren and the ladies as Clara, Abby, Hattie and Phoebe had never been West, they didn't have a clue about the land, the mountains, the desert or the covering of thick mud that had swept ashore.

They, as a whole, weren't overly excited about traveling that far out of their comfort sphere. To a person, they appreciated the idea that another month's travel would bring them to a place called home where they could build and provision against the winter.

The heated discussion raged long into the night. Unhappy people grumbled and protested the change in plans and wanted to continue West. "I think we should stick to our original plans." Milo was pacing up and down on his side of the squared off clan.

Honey didn't look as convinced as her husband, and for a fact neither did Jainy. They gamely smiled and kept silent, keeping an eagle eye on children that were up way too late and beginning to get droopy with tiredness.

"Sleep on it tonight, we'll continue talking tomorrow. We won't leave from here until there is an agreement." Mark called out.
Tired adults nodded and thankfully escaped to the privacy of their wagons. It was late enough that kids were put to bed without a washup, and people that had awakened at dawn fell into bed tired.



Corbin and Mason drove until it was too dark to see. Squatted around the fire, Mason asked how soon they might catch up with the wagon train.

"I don't think they are more than a couple of day's ahead of us. I'm judging the way the horse manure has dried out, and it's definitely getting fresher. They have a cow tied to the last wagon, and the cow patties are still...…"

"Thanks Uncle Corbin," Mason interrupted, "I believe I get the picture."

Corbin laughed, and pulled the coffee pot away from the fire. It would only take a short reheat in the morning for them to have coffee. "I want to start early, right after we can see. I want to close in as much as we can. I can see where they have started angling North, so they might have changed their plans. It would be so simple if we still had the common place items, like cell phones, to keep in touch. What choice do we have besides carrier pigeon, and I don't think there are any of those left." Corbin laughed again, but it was really frustrating to have had technology, and now there was none.

"Do you miss it?" Mason was referring to the computer age.

"No, I don't think so, I enjoy using my wits and experience to overcome problems that come up. I've read my history, I understand that American intelligence can and will overcome the lack of modern conveniences; taking us forward. Take for instance, you built a go-kart when you were a kid. Do you remember enough about the experience to re-create and build something that could run?" Corbin stood up, stretching out the kinks. "See ya in the morning, kid."

Mason went to his wagon, darn Corbin. Now his brain would be busy all night thinking about how he put the go-kart together.

True to his word, Corbin was up early, the breaking light was feeble and the dark was 'blindfold black.' Working the fire into a blazing heat, he pushed the coffee pot close to begin heating. He went to Masons wagon and pounded on the sideboard until the sleepy sounding voice of his nephew answered.

Corbin went to get the first team and out of the corner of his eye, saw the meanest, ugliest looking dog that ever walked the earth. He turned slowly around and felt for his pistol. The dog snarled silently and showed his teeth, daring Corbin to walk toward him.

"Get away from the horses, " Corbin growled back at the dog, turning his back as he started buckling the horses into the hitch.

Mason stuck his head out of the wagon canvas and recoil in fright. "Holy ____ Batman, is that dog gonna attack us?"

"He'll die if he does," Corbin answered shortly. "I don't like dogs well enough to not stop him. The griddle is ready for pancakes, make some and we'll feed him the extras."

Mason cooked breakfast as Corbin finished harnessing his team. The older Atwood stopped long enough to grab a couple of pancakes and he flipped the third toward the dog who caught it in mid air, showing strong, white teeth. Two gulps and the semi doughy first pancake was gone. The dog stood watching the two men and never seemed to blink, "cook him five or six," Corbin instructed, and stuffed half a cake in his mouth and sipped some of his hot coffee.

Mason ate a couple, set four aside for Corbin, and made the dog seven more. The dog stayed unfriendly, but ate the flapjacks with hunger. "Geeze your ugly," Mason said in a friendly tone, so as to not ruffle the dog.

Corbin harnessed Mason's teams, while Mason finished breaking camp. When it finally broke dawn and they could see the trail, the Atwoods drove on. Mason looked back once, and the dog was trailing them, but keeping a wide distance from his saddle horse tied on behind.
 
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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#364

The morning camp of the Linderman Clan had a far frostier atmosphere than the weather in reality. As Mark looked up and down the line of cooking fires and the people busy creating breakfast, it seemed that a night's sleep hadn't calmed the fierce determinations of the split.

Clora handled her husband a cup of coffee, and he stood feet apart, shoulders back, Stetson firmly in place quietly observing the morning. Mark's displeasure radiated through the camp, and for once, it didn't seem to make a whit's worth of difference to the polarized strong minded people.

Bruce was on guard duty, happy to be out of the lines of fire, but close enough to hear the vocal prostrations. He could see dust approaching, and surmised that what ever was coming, was big and heavy. Breaking into the beginning of the debate, he called the men to guard until the oncoming threat was identified.

Milo was looking through binoculars, wanting to understand who was approaching. "It's that guy that was here, Corbin whatzhisname." he called out. "There's another wagon behind him, but I can't see whos driving. Whoowee, he's got a 6 up hitch, and thats a wagon half again as big as ours." the redheaded man sounded suitably impressed.

Clara gave a little gasp and then looked around to see if anyone had noticed. Judy had, and she giggled at her mother. "Oh my, you're blushing Mother, tee hee on you."

Clara blushed harder, smoothed at her apron and then remembered to pat her hair to see if any stray strands had escaped. Dashing to the back of the wagon, Clara grabbed a rag to wash her face and dab a bit of lavender water behind her ears. Her heart was jumping and her movements were just as jumpy.

"Sit down Mom," Judy ordered, "he's still a long ways out. I can barely see his dust, finish your coffee and eat this oatmeal, otherwise your gonna be a wreck."

"Too late, I'm already a wreck," Clara mumbled, much to Judy's amusement.



Hattie and Oren were having trouble getting Punky and Max to sit down and eat their breakfast. "You're not leaving those chairs until you finish your oatmeal. Dad was the one to milk this morning, and he did that because he knew you boys enjoy milk on your cereal. So eat!" she commanded.

"Yes Ma'am," both boys repeated together, just like they were the best two kids in the world. Hattie eyed them suspiciously, but they had their heads bent over their bowls, eating.

"Humph," was all she said, and looked to see where Oren was, thereby missing the cheeky grin the two wonder boys shared.. Hattie called them the wonder boys, as she was always wondering what they were up too.

Rennie had pursed lips, little Miss Lyric was misbehaving, because her Daddy had gone out to stand guard and she had to stay behind. Jainy had the same problem, and Honey was yelling her displeasure at her children.

Clora walked around the back of her wagon to see what Millie and Tess were doing with the triplets.

"Mom, just the person I wanted to see," Tess was enthustiac as she wiped oatmeal smeared faces. "For the first time in a long while, I have a knowing, that I should stay in Iowa. I can see in my mind's eye the ground, the cabin and homestead I'm going to have. That makes me so thrilled, to have that feeling back." Tess grabbed the closest boy and hugged him tightly until he squalled.

The other two youngsters, that were out of reach, made sure they stayed out of the reach of their suddenly giddy acting mother. Millie was standing off to the side, smiling her approval at the carefree attitude Tess sparkled with. Clora and Millie shared a sweet smile at her happiness.
 
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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#365

"I'm ready to head for Iowa yet today. This is such a 'freeing' sensation, like I have reason and purpose that weren't there before. OH my, I have a feeling of happiness, something I haven't had in years." Tess sounded happy, a sorely missed emotion from Clora and Mark's daughter with her special abilities.

Clora was chuckling at Tess and the hand clapping the triplets were applauding their mother.

"Do you know what you and Dad are going to do?" Tess questioned rapidly. Somehow all three babies and the women were in a ring around the rosey circle, walking slowly for the care of young feet. "Oh I hope you are going to stay, I would miss you so much if you continued on West. Besides," Tess said impishly, "I'd like to see Dad become a farmer and grow strong roots into the earth. A permanent place, not just a stopping place on to something better."

Clora thought about her words and had to sit down. Suddenly the thought of leaving Tess and her babies was too awful to contemplate. Clora didn't want any of the others to leave either; they were all so near and dear to her heart, how could she live without the loving arms of her grandchildren to give her hugs.

Clora waved, and made good her escape to her wagon. If she looked like Tess's announcement made her feel, she was an old shriveled up woman with a heartache.

Mark noticed Clora return, withdrawn and subdued, and he wondered what on earth might have happened to reverse her usually calm and serene demeanor. He was inching closer, wanting to ask what was the problem, when through the clear morning air the sounds of bells were heard.

Corbin and Mason were a good quarter of a mile away, but the lead team was frisky with the jingle of their arrival.

Clara couldn't help herself; she was at the bend of the circled wagons, waving at the strong figure that was standing, holding six sets of reins as his Belgian's feet thundered across the grass tufted ground.

"That's quite a sight," Toby spoke up, all at once realizing that Clara probably couldn't hear him over the clomping hooves. Horses within the enclosure sounded out greetings and started to mill around, interested in the newcomers.

"Everyone, watch your kids," Toby shouted out loud, awaking the clan to the danger that was happening. Mama's flew around, counting noses and securing children away from the excited, twisting and turning horses.

All but David and Scotty, they were running from the clan wagons toward the approaching second wagon, shouting something that couldn't be heard in the clamor and confusion.

Mason's team of extra large draft Belgians had never seen small people running toward them and they began to react by jumping in place, twisting and turning, practically tearing the reins from Mason's hands.

Jainy's frantic screams were loud enough to bring the festivities to an immediate halt. Corbin slowed and then halted his team; and when he did, that was the only thing that calmed Mason's team from shying and bolting right into the path of the running boys.

David and Scotty had spotted Dog, and they were ecstatic with happiness and mindless of the danger they were in.
 
Texican

Texican

Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
Hattie called them the wonder boys, as she was always wondering what they were up too.

My DW grew up with two brothers and a sister which were a handful especially when they were youngins....

Their dad installed a screen door on the play room and when their grandmother saw the screen door she wondered why until she spent hours with the kids and then she locked them in the playroom by locking the screen door for a little peace and some quiet....

Yep, kids can be a handful when they wish to be regardless of the consequences.... Not me, for I was nearly a perfect kid just ask me.....

Texican....
 
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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#366

It was hard to say whom was the more terrified. Jainy and Gary, the clan as they perceived what was happening, Corbin, Mason who was fighting for control of his team, or David and Scotty, when it finally dawned on them the predicament they were running into.

It was dog to the rescue.

The huge, vicious animal was barking and growling as he sped past the wagon and ran full tilt into the two boys; knocking them to the ground, crying and sputtering.

With the children on the ground, guarded by the huge mastiff cross, the horses calmed down, walking up on the off side of Corbin's team to stop, heads hanging and sides heaving.

Mason was stark white and trembling with the effort to keep the hitch under control. Corbin got down and went over to help Mason down off the high wagon seat.

"Uncle Corb, I swear I thought those kids were gonna get run over. I was trying everything I knew to turn the team away, and it was like they had a mind of their own and wouldn't respond." Mason was weak kneed and wobbled voiced.

"You did good," Corbin praised. "When a team panics and runs, about all you can do is let them run it out. You kept that from happening, and I'm proud of you."

Corbin's low voice and calmness, did a lot to restore Mason's confidence; and when the clan rushed up, Mason got sincere thanks for averting a most certain tragedy.

Jainy, when she reached her boys, went to hugging them fiercely, weeping and forgetting she still had the board cast on her hand. She, in her fright, banged both David and Scotty hard in the upper arms; sending both boys into a shrieking, screaming conniption fit. The astonishing commotion stopped everyone to look and wonder, what had and or was happening.

The boys both had broken arms from the bowling ball effect of Dog hitting them so violently. Gary was only a few steps behind Jainy, and he was furious, ready to unbuckle his belt and give his sons a belt whipping for endangering themselves, and the rest of the clan that was going to the boy's rescue. This latest disregard for their rules, was about the straw that broke the camel's back.

Gary stopped at the last moment, realizing his boys were injured, and bending over to help Jainy to her feet. Somehow it got sorted out and the boys were taken to the hospital wagon and treated.

Corbin and Mason pulled up to the outer edge of the circle and ground tied their teams, while introductions were made around the camp. Corbin was sure that Clara was more beautiful and gracefully loving than ever before; and Clara thought Corbin was the most handsome, striking man she had ever seen.

Mason was welcomed as the strong and sturdy young man that he was; grateful thanks from the clan, flooding his person. "That ugly ole dog showed up a couple of nights ago and has hung around and trailed us, we had no idea that he belonged to ya'll. He sure is a mean, ornery sucker."

Boyish screams from the hospital wagon gave testimony that the boys were having their arms set. The rest of the 'kid pack' listened with shivers, vowing to remember the folly of not minding. It was a stark and harsh lesson, not only with Scotty and David, but the rest of the adventuresome boys.

Mommas and Daddy's nodded to each other in agreement, their young ones were taking the unspoken lesson to heart.


In the hospital wagon, Bruce and Trish had set the breaks and had the arms wrapped tightly and immobilized. They were discussing another problem they had discovered. Bruce had felt the soft sponginess of both the bones he had set. A problem that could only be explained by a childhood disease of leukemia.

The doctors walked away from the mobile clinic to confer, leaving Jainy and Gary to comfort their children.

"Trish, I can't believe how soft David's arm was to set. I know for a fact that they eat good, drink lots of milk. there is no way they should be in the condition they are in." Bruce was thinking aloud about the problem.

Trish nodded and then spoke softly, "we had better tell Gary and Jainy, so they can be aware of how the boys should be treated. It's really frightening to me to know the arm breaks may never heal. I'm guessing it's some type of bone cancer or blood cancer; and it's so frustrating and leaves me feeling so hopeless. I don't have a way to treat it, beyond good food and rest."

Bruce had a troubled frown and tears in his eyes. He raised his hands and then let them flop down in a helpless gesture. Both doctors had terrible lumps in their throats and shuddering breaths, as they walked back to the hospital wagon.

"Jainy, Gary, have ya got a minute, we need to have a conference." Bruce managed to get out.

Jainy's long drawn out scream echoed through camp, as all the members stopped to turn and look at the foursome a ways away from the circle.

"What the devil?" Toby spit out, "now what's happening?"
 
Texican

Texican

Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
"What the devil?" Toby spit out, "now what's happening?"

From one crisis to the next crisis....

Thanks Pac for the chapter....

Texican....
 
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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
Dear folks,

I have written tonight's chapter two different ways and both have disappeared. I can only conclude that I need to go yet, another direction. There will be a chapter when I get it figured out. Thanks, Pac.
 
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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#367

The news spread like wildfire through the camp. Clora called for a prayer meeting in the protection of the circled wagons. Voices raised to heaven, praised their God of miracles, and asked for the healing of the two children.

Corbin and Mason stood eating bowls of Clara's wonderful stew, savoring the taste of the woman's cooking. Mason was suitably impressed with the small but heavenly tasting biscuits; thinking that dear old uncle Corbin had good taste in ladies. He was impressed enough to eat four bowlfuls and he deliberately didn't count the biscuits.

Corbin savored the stew even more than Mason. He smiled at Clara, thinking that if he went ahead with his intentions, he would be a blessed man in more than one way.

The three of them stood silently, listening to Clora lead the prayers for David and Scotty. Corbin felt the strength of the clan, thinking that his idea to associate with them had been the nudging of God. There was really no other explanation.

The three of them stood, waiting for the prayer circle to disband. Mark noted that the two men were respectful, and he and Clora walked over when the prayer was finished.

Sitting with the last of the evening's coffee, Mark skillfully interrogated the newcomers with questions about their beliefs and how deep they were. He asked about their goals, where they had anticipated living and how they intended to make a living.

Corbin carefully answered for himself, refusing to include Mason in a blanket statement. "Mason's 25, fully capable of being his own man. He has the credits and bona fides behind him, I'd much prefer he tell his own story."

Mark nodded, accepting the young man that spoke slow, but without hesitation. "I have a college degree in engineering, played football, was raised a Christian, have been born again for seven years. I have no wife, would like to find a strong Christian woman, but would rather have the right woman, than one in a hurry."

Mason simply stopped speaking, calmly waiting for any questions. Mark nodded once again, waiting to see if Mason had more to offer.
The silence wasn't strained, and Mark stood up to end the interview. "Thanks gentlemen, sleep well tonight." and he and Clora walked to their wagon.

"Oh," Mark called over his shoulder, "we are camped here until we have some sort of resolution as to where we will be heading. Some of our members want to go to Iowa for good farming; and some want to continue West as far as possible. I suggest you and Clara come to a meeting of the minds; before your relationship gets any more serious." and with that, Mark walked away.

Corbin looked at Mason and gave him the high sign to get lost. Mason grinned broadly and made the excuse that he had to check on the horses. Clara chuckled and Corbin laughed lightly. "He's a good kid, catches on quick."

"So,...Miss Clara. are you gonna tell me what is your choice of places to live?" Corbin asked, and didn't realize he was holding his breath in anxiety.

He walked Clara over to the chair and put more wood on the fire. This was crunch time; a meeting of the minds between two people that didn't know one another, but that wanted too create a connection. Not only a connection, Corbin told himself, but a strong connection between two people that would face a rigorous life. A life made happy if they chose the right person, or miserable if they were wrong for one another.

"I guess I might as well come right out and ask, what choice you prefer," Corbin had ahold of Clara's hand, enjoying the tingle he felt between the two of them.

Clara contemplated a few seconds, then spoke. "All my life, I have had the romantic notion of traveling West where the open sky, the freedom to live as I wanted, and the option of becoming a rancher, could come true. I have given a lot of thought to that young girl's dream, and find it's not what I want, now that I am older." Clara watched the dancing flames, afraid to look at Corbin. She had to speak her truth, the only way to begin...or not begin...a life with Corbin.

"When I first heard that some of the group wanted to go to Iowa and become farmers; I didn't want to think about it. But, the idea took hold in me and that's what my heart and mind with prayer has decided. I have the sense of adventure to go West, I just don't want to. I want to find land with rich soil, land that will accept seed and prosper. Crops, gardens, flowers, I want to put things in the ground and watch them grow." Clara went silent, waiting with baited breath for Corbin's response.
 
Dosadi

Dosadi

Brown Coat
thank you Mrs. PAC

takes time, but the idea of roots (many different meanings there) settles into people. some actually find that place and watch things bloom and it is nice.

Dosadi
 
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