Little house Albert and Sylvia Chapter twenty nine: Expect the Unexpected!

James Rocker the doctor of Walnut Grove or the understudy doctor of Walnut grove has earned a lot of the respect of the towns people since he was sent here to help deal with the awful plaque that had sicken most of the towns people a few months almost a year now back a while ago. Everyone has seemed to learn to accept him as a constant new addition to the community as well as extra help for Doctor Baker, well almost everyone there still maybe a few skeptical people around but they are few in between.

Now since James has gone to Doctor Baker's office early this morning for some kind of meeting he didn't know what it was about Doctor didn't tell him to much of the specifics just to come at six in the morning and not be late. So he did. James had to get up earlier than six though to do his chores and to get ready. So it was like five in the morning James has been up for a very long time by now from what he is used to.

Finally he knocked on the door of Doctor Baker's office and he opened it Doc Baker was already dressed for work and even had his pocket chain watch with him to start his day. He motioned for James to come in, James did he took the chair that Hiram always had next to his desk for others who came in to discuss their problems.

James makes himself more comfortable for the meeting, and takes his hat off on the side just for politeness. Doctor Baker sits himself down in front of him and pulls his black vest down so it won't wrinkle up on him as he moves around in the chair.

Hiram swallows as both men look at each other as if they were trying to say things without saying a word, but it wasn't working. Hiram smiles to say "Are you wondering yet why I asked you to come here so early for a meeting James?"

James tries not to look so surprise at the doctor's question, but says "I wasn't too worried about it mostly just wondering why we are having a meeting when we never really do".

Hiram smiles, at James like a person would an old friend and says "Don't worry it's nothing bad, well, if you want more work to do you can take over the rest of my patience if you so wish". "I am thinking of semi retiring meaning I'll just be here in the office doing the paper work if anyone still might need me".

James was surprised at the news Doctor Baker still looked like he was in good health but James thought to himself maybe he wanted to get away for a while.

James let Hiram continue his conversation wondering what it will be leading too, not wanting to blow his cover unless he had too.

Hiram says to James, "People here seem to take a liking to you, and I think you will do well here taking over my post or at least a part of it".

James then looks astonished and says "Sir, are you sure you want me on? I mean full time? I wasn't planning on living here forever you know". Hiram laughs then says "Well, you can keep the offer if you want it as long as you want it, we can work it out like that if you so wish".

James sighs should he tell the doc what he is really doing here? James sighs then tries to beat around the bush "Well, sir I would love to help more, but out here I just feel so inadequate like I don't know enough to be a real doctor".

Hiram smiles and says "I know it's a lot to think about but if you want time that is okay with me too, I mean it is a huge under taking I understand but I will still be in the office if you need me".

James smiles and as he does there is a knock at the door. Hiram gets up and says "please excuse me sir".

James nods in acknowledgement and then Hiram answers the door it was Jack James's son, and he motions to have a chance to chat with his Pa. Hiram lets him in the office and James stands up to see who is there to talk to him.

Jack says "Uh Pa got a situation at the jail Hartwig busted out some time early morning, when I got back from checking on a situation

James says "Well looks like we need a posse to be formed and go on a man hunt sorry doc I got to deal with this today I think".

Hiram says "its okay by me, I understand you're an important person".

James smiles and then grabs Jack by the arm as the two head out of the doctor's office.

James says gently as possible, "Why and how did Hartwig escape? I thought we had him under surveillance tight until the day of the trial!"

Jack solemnly says "Sorry Pa done our best, but I can get started at the church to ask for help to get men together to go after him". James replies "Yes go ahead and do that I need to go do one more thing and I'll meet you at the church."

Hartwig was lucky to get such a fast horse to get him under way and Sylvia was leading the pack out into the thickest part of the woods, in the shadows Sylvia's horse seemed faster and have a lot more stronger endurance than Hartwig's his was slowly showing some signs of fatigue, even though they kept trying to push farther in the outside of the forest to a bluff spot that Sylvia had known well..

Finally once there someone else was waiting for them on the other side little did they know. Once at the bluff Hartwig called out to Sylvia "Hey we need to slow down my horse is wearing out faster than yours". Sylvia pulls up on the reins of her horse, and slows back down to meet Hartwig's panting horse to get them both to stop.

Just out of the wood work Comes Albert on a Black roan horse! He is pointing a long barreled pistol at Sylvia and Hartwig he says in a rough voice "This is as far as you're going!"

Hartwig was being smart with Albert when he asks "Do you know how to handle that gun son?" Sylvia looks at Hartwig and gives him a scornful look. She whispers to Hartwig, "What are you doing don't make him mad with the gun in his hands!"

Hartwig and Sylvia were now baffled by the turn of events another turn was coming from dust in the other directions, it looked like a band of Indians were coming their way riding fast on their horses too! Hartwig points them as he and Sylvia look in that direction at the sound of one hundred pounding horses hooves on the ground.

The Indians came closer till they were right on top of each other, and no one ever thought to see Mrs. Ingalls riding with the Indians!

Hartwig's eyes bug out a little at his surprise to see Caroline Ingalls riding on a horse period. And with the Indians trailing behind her. Finally Caroline rode her horse in the middle of both groups, she speaks to Hartwig, and "Sir you need to come with us, me and my friends mean you no harm".

Hartwig swallows and tries not to show how nervous he was when he says "Tell Albert boy to put down his gun!" Caroline smiles and says "It's all up to you what he does with that".

Should Hartwig do as he says, or should they try to flee? (To Be continued).