11. Lessons on Life

Lessons on Life

"JW, come here?" Vin called. JW walked over to the hunkered tracker. "Whatcha see?" Vin asked.

"Footprints," JW answered.

"Tell me 'bout 'em," Vin directed.

"Huh?" JW grunted.

"What makes 'em different from each other?" Vin prodded.

"These are a lot smaller," JW said looking up at Vin.

"What else?" Vin urged. JW looked at the tracks again

"The big one's are further apart. Look deeper too," JW decided.

"Yep," Vin agreed "What's that tell ya?"

"The big tracks belong to a taller man his legs are longer. He's heavier too," JW decided.

"Good," Vin nodded "Know who they belong ta?"

"Well these are mine," JW indicated the smaller tracks.

"These others?" Vin asked.

JW frowned "Even if you were wearing boots, your feet are too small." Looking over at the other men JW decided "Chris' feet are too small, Isaiah's are too wide. These are Buck's".

Vin nodded "Yep". Moving to the fire Vin wrapped up in the blankets. "Most trackin's done in yer head." Vin told the curious JW. "Not jus' follerin' tracks on tha ground. Ya trail 'em in yer mind. Where they going? What does it need? Is it gettin' thirsty, hungry? Does it know yer after it? Is it running or is it gonna circle back and hunt you?" Vin lectured.

"You could tell who's were who's by smell couldn't you?" JW asked.

"Coulda why bother iffen I kin do it an easier way," Vin replied.

"Using your senses is harder?" JW asked in surprise.

"Not a simple thing," Vin sighed. Seeing the honestly curious look on the other men's faces. "Close yer eyes. Whatcha smell?" Vin asked.

"Dirt, trees, smoke, wet wool," came a chorus of answers.

"That's all? Ya don' smell the river? Leather, gun oil?" Vin asked. "Kin ya smell me?" Vin urged the men to recognize the things they were smelling.

"Kinda flowery" Buck decided.

"Tha's tha soap. What 'bout me?" Vin prodded

"Kind of minty," Chris frowned. The others opened their eyes and nodded.

"Can you recognize yer horse?" Vin asked.

"Of course not," JW snorted.

"Why not horse is kinda strong" Vin asked.

"There's six horses," JW pointed out.

"Be easier just ta open yer eyes ta find 'er," Vin suggested.

"Well sure," JW answered.

"JW just 'cause ya kin do somethin' don't mean it's the easiest or best way ta do it," Vin pointed out. "Kin get lost in the senses, zone. Go so deep ya can't find yer way back," Vin whispered.

"Eli Joe kept you from zoning?" JW asked.

"Never hunted fer him. I tracked," Vin growled.

"There's a difference?" JW straightened up.

"I kin teach ya ta track," Vin smiled,"Ya notice thing's. Ya think". "Ya could never hunt. That's somethin' yer born wit'. Reckin it's God's curse," Vin sighed turning away.

"What's it like?" JW asked after exchanging looks with Chris.

"Like being in a big ole canyon wit' all kinds of echos, filled wit' talking, yelling crying, screamin' people. They's all makin' all kinds a racket. They don't never stop. There's this door and if ya try real hard ya can hold it closed shutting 'em outside. Soon as ya let up tha door pops back open. They's more doors fer smells, sounds, touch and taste. If ya stretch real hard ya kin keep 'em all closed. Stayin' 'way from folks helps some. A hunter's suppose ta help keep them doors shut, kinda like a lock. When ya get caught in front of one of them open doors. He pulls ya back and slams tha door. Sa tired of pushin' on them doors," Vin stumbled to a halt. "I'se a might tired. Wake me for mah watch," Vin pulled the blankets close and settled down. He was soon sleeping deeply.

"What's going to happen to him?" JW worried.

"He'll zone or he'll go insane," Chris admitted.

"Can't we do something?" JW demanded. Chris shook his head watching the troubled sleeper. Chris moved slightly laying his hand on Vin's shoulder as a familiar pattern began. Vin was starting into a nightmare. Vin relaxed at the touch and settled.

"Isaiah, you have first watch. Buck you then JW. I'll take the last one. Let Vin sleep, he's pushing to hard," Chris ordered.