Troubled Waters

"Soldier Rest, the Fight Is Over" (circa 1820s)

Mrs. Burke's celebrated Pollacca.

Composed and Dedicated to her, (his Pupil) by

A[rthur]. Clifton.

[aka Philip Anthony Corri, 1784-1832]

(The Words by Lieut. Hall of the U.S. Army).

Baltimore: T. Carr's Music Store, 78 1/2 Baltimore St.

[Source: 036/086 Levy]

Chapter Two

William stood near the entrance of the cave and watched as his sister slowly poured some water from their canteen on the man's bare chest, abdomen, arms and face. She was trying to keep the man cool as possible, as he was fighting a pretty high fever. Earlier, she'd taken some of the Aloe Vera she and her brother always carried with them, due to their travels in the hot Nevada sun, and went through the process of making it ready to put it on her patient. With all the blisters he had, he needed it. Though, to be honest, they were more concerned about the heat stroke he had also obviously suffered.

William had had to turn the man on his side more than once as he had continued to vomit and could not hold the water down Catlin was giving him. She argued that even though the stranger was throwing the majority of the water back up they still needed to get some more into him. After all, even a little bit staying down would help him.

William turned away from the scene before his eyes, and looked outside. He was extremely worried. He knew the man couldn't be moved as it would take a few days for him to recover, if he did, yet they needed to get more food. Their supplies were going to be getting low over the next few days.

"William!" Catlin's cry whirled her brother around to look at his sister who was trying to get their patient on his side; he was trying to vomit again. William ran as fast as he could and helped turn their unexpected patient on his side.

"This would be a lot easier if we knew who he was and how far away the nearest town is. We could get help and notify his family." William silently cursed himself for not admitting sooner that he had taken a wrong turn somewhere along the line.

He wasn't telling her anything she didn't know; only problem was, she didn't know what to say in reply. Not that it mattered any, at that moment their patient stopped vomiting. William took the opportunity to go and check on the horses.

"Who are you, sir?" Catlin ran her hand across the man only to find him slowly opening his eyes. She quickly removed her hand and sat back on her heels. She wondered if he would say anything or if he'd simply go back to sleep. After all, he still had a fever.

It took a few minutes for his eyes to adjust to the darkness of the cave. The first thing he saw was the young, dark haired woman with sky blue eyes looking at him with great concern. Since he was still running a fever, Ben thought he might be hallucinating. Not that he minded that at the moment; no, if he was still staked out in the sun then he was at least being blessed with a vision of loveliness.

Because he had not answered her question, Catlin leaned forward a bit and spoke again. "My name is Catlin Hawks. My brother, William and I found you. Who are you?"

Ben heard her voice, but could not seem to comprehend all the words she spoke. It only cemented in his mind he was being blessed with hallucinations instead of having to suffer from reality. He closed his eyes. Though, he did catch the question 'Who are you'. He decided to answer the question, even if the woman wasn't real just for the mere fact it was an illusion he wished were real. That being the case, he managed to get one word out before he sunk back into a dark abyss. "Ben…"

Catlin picked up one of the strips she'd made from his ripped up shirt, poured a bit of water onto it and laid it on his forehead. "Ben." She smiled. "That is a good name. I like it." She proceeded to go through the procedure of pouring water over the man once more. She had to bring the fever down somehow and water was the only thing she had at the moment. Although, William had promised to hunt around the area and see if he could find some wild herbs that might help Catlin with that chore. She was sure he dared promise it because there had been no sign of life besides theirs since they first found the man.

"I'm going for a ride." William, who had checked on the horses, finished checking their supplies as well. "I'll see what I can find and, who knows, maybe I'll come across someone who can help us."

The instant her brother made the comment, Catlin had a strong feeling he would not be meeting anyone. Though she wasn't about to say that. Ben still needed the herbal tea, if William could find the herbs.

Once William had left Catlin found herself gazing up Ben and thinking he looked like he'd been through a harsh conflict and was now fighting a silent battle. With that thought came the memory of her father, who had served faithfully in the military, and her mother sitting on the front porch of their home. They and their children were listening to a friend sing. For whatever reason that existed, Catlin found herself singing the same song.

Soldier rest, the fight is over,

Rest in peace the battle's won;

Sleep untill the morn discover,

All the deeds that thou hast done,

Rest in peace, the battle's won;

Sleep untill the morn discover,

All the deeds that thou hast done.

Soldier rest thy Mistress dreaming

now thee in the battle's fray;

And her eye with pleasure beaming,

Mark'd our waving banners gay.

Soldier rest and let tomorrow,

Tell of Comrades lost in fight;

Then shall thou indulge thy sorrow,

Dream of love and fame tonight.

Soldier rest and let tomorrow

Tell of Comrades lost in fight;

Then shall thou indulge thy sorrow.

Dream of love and fame tonight.

Soldier rest, the fight is over,

Rest in peace, the battle's won.

Soon thy Mistress shall discover

all the deeds that thou hast done.

Rest in peace, the battle's won;

Soon thy Mistress shall discover

all the deeds that thou hast done.

deeds that thou hast done.

that thou hast done,

That thou hast done,

that thou hast done.

Somewhere in his sleep, Ben heard the beautiful singing and it wrapped itself around him making him feel comfortable and safe as he could be considering everything.

~oOo~

"I didn't say I wouldn't gather men to help you look." Roy gave Joe a rebuking glare. "I said I'm not going to make it so Matsu is wanted for anything unless I have definite proof he's responsible for Ben's disappearance!"

"We don't expect you too." Adam spoke up, more than aggravated at Little Joe for even bringing the Bannock Indian into the discussion before they had the evidence Roy spoke of. "And Little Joe won't speak of it again, will you Joe?"

Little Joe fought his temper down. He knew they were right; he was just frustrated and wanted to find his father. "No, I won't. Let's just get back out there and look."

That was a request no one had a problem with. Soon, in between Adam, Hoss, Little Joe and Roy, a good sized search party had been organized.