Chapter 3
James and Balto were asleep until the late afternoon. James started to yawn and realized that he was late for his duties. "Oh no! I'm late for my daily work!" He started to get dress and quickly washed his face. He looked at Balto and he was still asleep. James went over to him and tucked the animal with his blanket to keep him warm. A knock came from the door and James knew he'll be in trouble. He headed towards the door and open to see William and Katherine by the door.
"Have you seen Thomasin and Caleb?" William asked.
"I thought they'll be up for the day?" James asked.
"They have been and the twins told us they're gone." Katherine answered.
James knew if they're not around the homestead, they've wander off to the woods. He got outside to see their family horse and dog are gone. "They'll have to be in the woods I'm afraid for some reason that I don't know."
Katherine gasped in fear, while William headed back to his family cabin to fetch a lantern. He gave Katherine her hat and he has put on his hand, as he lighten the lantern. "We'll be back from the woods until we find Thomasin and Caleb, watch the twins."
The twins started to shout for their older siblings. William and Katherine headed to the woods while calling their children's names. James thought something must of happened between Caleb and Thomasin or a family matter that occurred. James went over by the farming railing where the twins were tied up, so they could not escape. James started to pray over safety for Caleb and Thomasin, also for William and Katherine finding their children soon.
"Can you untie us?" Mercy asked James.
James finished his prayer and turned towards her. "I'm not allowed unless told too. You'll wander off like wild beasts."
"You're a wild beast too. It is your fault and Thomasin's fault we couldn't leave the yard." Mercy rebuked.
"Who told you exactly 'who taken Sam'?" James asked.
"Black Philip." Mercy answered.
"What's that?" he asked.
"Our goat, who speaks to us." Jonas replied. James knew that the twins are into devilish behavior since yesterday, they were playing with the goat and singing to it.
"You should not be into these witchery acts. How would your mother and father speak to this." James said.
"They'll never know unless Thomasin told them... or you might, but they'll never believe you because you're only a servant." Mercy remarked.
James could recall that a witch was hanged when he was child because she has spoken to an evil animal like the twins. James could only warn the twins with one advice. "Stay away from that beast."
"Nonsense!" They protested. William and Katherine returned with Thomasin from the woods. "Nonsense what?!" William overheard the twins.
The twins stared at James and James said nothing and nodded. "Untie the twins and take them inside." James complied with William's request and took the children inside. The rain started to pour down on the homestead. James started a warm fire and lighten candles.
"What is the matter with thee, Thomasin?" Katherine said to her oldest child.
"I'll set off and I'll not return until I find Caleb." William stated. Katherine added that they would need help from the village of Andover. But they realized that it'll take a day of ride and they no longer have a horse.
William was already to make haste and to journey into the woods.
"What if I go?" James asked permission to go. Everyone turned to him.
"Don't be a fool, you have nothing to protect yourself." William protested.
"I'll be fine, I have wander the woods since we arrived and I know my way back here. It'll please you William and Katherine... please." James added.
William sighs as he thinks it is foolish to have his adopted son search in the woods at night and in the rain. "If you find our son... bring him hastily back to home."
James nodded. He exited the house and went into his own cabin to grab a lantern and a heavy coat. Balto was up and walked over to James.
"Well hello... it's good to see you again. I need to hurry into the woods, I need find my half brother." he said to his companion while lighting his lantern. "I'll try to be back soon as possible."
He opened his front door and the rain poured heavily than before. Balto went by James' side and lightly barked. It got James' attention, as Balto started to sniff for Caleb's scent. "What are you doing? You shouldn't be in the rain you'll be sick." James asked in protest.
Balto barked again. "You want to help me find Caleb as well?" James asked. With a bark and nod. They headed to the woods to start their search.
It has been over minutes and had no luck of finding Caleb. James started to say prayer for strength and guidance from the Lord to find Caleb and a safe journey to home. Balto picked up scent that came from Caleb and made a quick dashed with a bark. "You found something Balto?" James asked as he followed. Balto stopped a few feet only to find a figure stripped from clothing, wounded with scars, and unconscious. He sniffed, nuzzled, and gave the figure a small luck to the face. He started to whimper as the figure wasn't making any movement. James got close enough to see the figure was Caleb. He took off his heavy coat and put it onto Caleb to keep him warm. Balto started to make a angry growl with a bark. James looked around his surroundings only to find a rabbit staring down the three of them. It was still as it's nose was bouncing quickly. Balto continued to growl and made a louder bark. The rabbit dashed off. He turned to James made a bark as it was a warning with concern.
James picked up Caleb and the lantern. Balto barked to instruct James to follow him. James started to make haste to follow him. Balto then stopped to sniff to find their scent where they came from. James looked around to see nothing, but darkness shrouds around them with only the moon and a small lantern to light their way home. The wolfdog looked back, barked, and went to follow the scent, as James followed. As they were running, the wolfdog stopped to see small light over a cabin. James catch up with Balto to find the goat-house was lightly lighten.
James looked at Balto and gave him a rub on to his head. "Good boy Balto... good boy and thank you." The wolfdog lucked the boy's hand for gratitude. They hurried over to the light to see Thomasin attending the goats and sheep to sleep.
"You should get inside to my cabin, I'll be right behind you." James assured his loyal friend. Balto left and entered the boy's cabin.
James shouted for Thomasin as he was heading towards her. She grabbed her lantern to see him and her brother soaked and covered with James' coat. Thomasin started to shout for her parents. They entered inside the family cabin. Katherine was shocked, but calm to see her son's condition.
"Thomasin, fetch me a knife, blanket, a cloth, and a bowl, quickly child!" She instructed her daughter. Jonas and Mercy were sounded asleep. William came over to remove James' coat and James handed Caleb over to William. William said nothing to see his adopted son drenched from the rain.
"You have done enough. Thank you for bringing our son back." He thanked James.
James nodded. "Get some rest, we'll might be up and early tomorrow." William took Caleb upstairs followed with Katherine and Thomasin.
She stopped briefly to see in James in shock. She continued up the upstairs. James left the family cabin and went to his log cabin.
James started a fire in the fireplace and stared at the fireplace in paralysis. He started having flashbacks that involves his parents demise. The young boy was next to his dead parents motionlessly still. He looked at the front door to see a rabbit staring at him and left in a flash. A whimpering noise came and it was Balto as James transitioned back into the present. James looked at Balto to see his trusted friend's ears lowered and started to nuzzle him.
"Twas the rabbit got to do with your family's death?" James asked.
The wolfdog stopped nuzzling him and whimpered. "Me too." James added. "I believe that a witch has cursed this family."
Balto's ears pointed slightly up and lightly barked. James knew he had to do something before the family could suffer the same fate like your and my families had suffered.
Balto wrapped the blanket around James and he petted the wolfdog, as they laid down by the fire to warm themselves from the rain.
