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Casket of Fears and Dreams

Jantallian

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To build a new life on a ruined life,

to make the future fairer than the past,

and make the past appear a troubled dream.

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It was Mike Williams who found the box. Found it entirely by accident.

They had all been working since early that morning - Slim and Jess digging post holes, hammering uprights, stretching wire - Andy helping with the digging, holding the posts for hammering, hauling rolls of wire off the wagon to wherever they were wanted - Mike himself fetching hammers and nails and wire-cutters, organizing the tools for easy reach and generally doing anything which required running as an essential part of the job.

Noon came. The equipment was reloaded on to the wagon, ready to roll home. It was one of those fine warm Fall days when it seemed summer had revived and winter was still a long way off. But the shorter daylight hours meant that there was little time between schoolwork and chores for a lively youngster to simply enjoy some fun.

Slim and Jess were leaning against the wagon, drinking thankfully from their canteens. The sound of running water had been with them all morning, for a steep gully just a few feet away was gouged deep and mysterious by the falling stream it contained. It had made working in the unseasonably warm morning air all the harder. Now everyone was more than ready to head back straight away for the mid-day meal Jonesy would have waiting for them at home.

Everyone except Mike. He was intrigued by the deep split in the earth and the way it was overhung by ferns and the branches of trees. Little pools and waterfalls winked at him in the hazy sunlight. He was sure there were fish and birds and lizards and all manner of other exciting wildlife down there.

Slim, who had fastened his canteen back on Alamo's saddle, was preparing to mount. His face was thoughtful and he was obviously already reviewing the afternoon's work. Andy had climbed back into the wagon. Jess gave a soft whistle which summoned Traveller and, when the bay stepped over to him, moved away from them all to the edge of the ridge above the gully. He stood quietly, gazing out over the rolling slopes leading south; his eyes seemed to be seeing way beyond the horizon.

Mike took a look at both his guardians and made a quick decision about who he should ask.

"Jess, can I climb down the gully and meet you all at the bottom, where the ford is?"

Jess turned to focus his attention on the boy. Mike assumed an expression which combined his most responsible demeanor with intrepid enthusiasm. Jess looked at the gully. Then he looked back at Mike.

"I guess that depends on how badly you want dinner and how well you can climb, Mike," was the unexpected answer. "If you run into trouble and we've gone past before you make it, you'll have a long walk home."

Observing this exchange between his partner and his ward, Slim grinned to himself. Trust Jess not to bother about issues like getting wet or breaking an ankle or disturbing a snake. No, Jess picked the one motivation for speed combined with caution which he undoubtedly shared with Mike – the need for plenty of food at the right time!

"Ok, I'll be quick – 'n careful!" Mike was off like a flash before the rest of them could get started.

Behind him Slim and Jess exchanged amused looks. Slim did not give voice to any of the misgivings he might be harboring. Jess was imagining how it would feel to be so young again. Andy looked a little enviously after the younger boy, but accepted that he couldn't expect to be given responsibility, then to go dashing off on adventures. He ran a checking eye over the wagon and its load before shaking the reins to urge his team away down the hill. Slim had already mounted. Jess was quick to hop into the saddle and follow them.

Mike, meanwhile, was scrambling his way down the rocky depths of the gully. It was just as magical as he had imagined. Luxurious ferns sprang from the sides, forming a waving canopy overhead. Tree roots, covered in moss like a green pelt, thrust down thirstily into the cracks and gaps in the rocky bottom, seeking the rich, damp soil below. The stream chuckled and splashed over small waterfalls into shining pools. Shy flowers and small plants clung to the banks and edges of the water.

All the same, Mike was conscious that he could not linger. He didn't actually know how long the gully was, only that the horses and wagon had made quite a big detour after the ford over the stream. He didn't really think they'd go home without him, but he also understood Jess's words to mean that he should not delay them either. So his eyes feasted on the mysterious world into which he had penetrated, taking in the deep, jewel-like colors and the shimmering play of light which fell through the branches above him, but his feet kept moving. He was sure-footed and confident as he jumped and clambered downwards.

He had almost reached the ford when he came to a particularly wide pool, stretching from side to side of the gully leaving very little space for footholds. It was not deep and Mike could have waded through it, but he was not keen on riding home soaking wet from the knees down. Cautiously he edged his way round it, clinging precariously to the steep miniature cliff above him to keep his balance. He had almost reached the far side and the last waterfall down to the trail, when a stone turned under his hand and fell away with a splash into the pool.

In the bank right in front of him was revealed a hidden cavity. It was obviously not natural, because it was stone-lined and rectangular. Sitting in the middle of it was a small box.

Mike stared. His hand went out, then drew back sharply. There was something about the box ...

It was made of stone, a pale cream with thin veins of red running through. All over the sides and the lid were carved tiny faces, each one different. Each one was feeling a different emotion. Really feeling it - the detailed carving was that skillful. Some of the emotions were pleasant and made you want to laugh or cheer too. Some were sad or afraid. Some were so dark you wanted not to have seen them. Some showed feelings beyond the experience of a child.

Mike was fascinated. The box was beautiful and clearly very special. It was all wrong that it should be shut away in a dark hole. Surely it should have pride of place on the mantelpiece of someone's home?

But now he could hear the approaching wagon and the thud of hooves accompanying it. Mike grabbed the box hastily and thrust it into his pocket. Then he jumped down over the last waterfall, landing with an almighty splash in the pool before the ford and getting pretty wet after all. The wagon drew to a halt. Mike climbed up from the gully to join his family.

# # # # #

When they got back to the ranch they found there was a visitor. Mort Cory had ridden out to join them for a half day. He was taking one of his rare rests from law-keeping and had left the town in the safe hands of his deputy, Toby Miller, for once. It didn't take much persuasion to get him to settle down on the porch for the afternoon, especially with the promise of supper to follow in the evening.

It was only when they were all sitting on the porch after the midday meal that Mike remembered the box. He felt in his pocket and drew it carefully out, marvelling that he had been unaware of its presence all the while. It was almost as if it wanted to be taken out in front of an audience.

"Look what I found!"

Curiosity, surprise, speculation were the first reactions, followed closely by a stern question from Slim about exactly where and how Mike had acquired it. Once it was established that the box had been hidden, buried even, Slim relaxed a little.

"Looks like finders keepers then, Mike," he allowed. "Provided the representative of the law says it's ok?"

Mort nodded his approval with a smile. "From what you say, Mike, it sounds as if it's been there for a long time."

"D' you think he's found buried treasure?" Andy asked eagerly, always ready for some more adventure. He looked across at Jess and winked, remembering how Jess had buried the Sherman family treasures when the ranch had been taken over by their uncle's henchmen.

Jess shook his head and his eyes narrowed as if something troubled him.

Mike dashed Andy's hopes as he confirmed: "It was the only thing in the hole."

"Just as well," Jonesy commented shrewdly, " 'cause if it wasn't, the pair of y'd be skippin' off y' chores for certain."

"Wonder if there's anything inside it?" Mike continued, but didn't get a chance to find out.

Jess stood up abruptly. "Not now, Mike. Put it somewhere safe until there's more time."

"Yeah, school work for you two for a couple of hours," Slim backed up his partner as usual. "And hard work for the rest of us."

"Exceptin' Mort," Jess pointed out with a grin. "He just gets to rest his aging bones."

"Watch yourself, boy!" Mort warned. "I've earned it." He tipped his hat over his eyes and prepared for a good snooze. He didn't even respond when the others tiptoed away with exaggerated care.

Mike put the little box on the center of the hitching rail where they would not fail to see it later.

# # # # #

An industrious few hours passed before Mike finally got his wish and opened the box. He and Andy had finished their respective studies, although Andy would have more to do after supper. Mort had woken up from his prolonged nap. Jonesy had brewed fresh coffee ready for the two younger men when they finished work for the day.

Mike was nearly bursting with anticipation and jumped up and down on the corral rail, impatiently trying to spot the return of his guardians. Eventually he sighted a small cloud of dust rising over the ridge, a sure sign that Jess was on the way with some of the horse herd he was bringing in to the nearer pastures. This dust completely obscured the one raised by the wagon as Slim drove back from delivering the smithying he had carried out for a neighbor. They arrived almost simultaneously.

Both partners were hot, tired and thirsty, but neither of them would have dreamed of putting off Mike's moment of revelation.

"Go on then!" Slim slumped into a chair and gratefully accepted a mug of coffee from Jonesy.

"Will you hold it for me, Andy?" Mike was generous in sharing his enjoyment and Andy smiled in appreciation. He reached out and lifted the box from its enthronement on the rail. It felt oddly heavy in his hands, despite being relatively small. He held it out to Mike on his open palms.

"Here goes!" Mike whispered.

He lifted the lid very gently.

The box was empty.

"Oh!"

Not one of the watchers wanted to witness the disappointment on Mike's face.

"It's empty!"

"You sure?" Andy peered over the lid.

"Yeah. Unless there's something stuck in the corner." Mike put out a tentative finger.

"Don't, Mike!" Jess didn't give orders often but when he did, they were instantly obeyed - provided, of course, they did not include bath times.

"Huh?" Mike was totally puzzled.

"Just shut it and let it be empty," Jess said quietly.

"Yeah, it's beautiful, Mike, and very special. It doesn't need to contain anything," Slim added reassuringly.

"Ok." Mike was quick to recover from regret. He closed the lid carefully and took the box from Andy. "Thanks!" he smiled and Andy patted him on the shoulder, unable to offer any real consolation for this let-down.

There was a general surge of movement as Jonesy returned to cooking supper and Slim and Jess tossed for who got the shower first. Andy and Mike made off together to shut up their joint menagerie. Mort was left alone.

The box sat on the hitching rail.