Authors Note: Hi all yes I am thankfully still around, surviving COVID and the lockdown and I hope you all are too as well as your loved ones. I am sorry there has been a long time between chapters but time and my muse wouldnt go in sync. I have the ideas and most chapters already plotted in my mind or in rough written drafts, its getting the time to flush them out to make it readable and hopefully enjoyable that takes the time. Thank you all for reading and reviewing and thanks to many of you for the pm's. I am really sorry if i havent replied to all of them, I do care very much, but i am still working from home and its been very stressful and tiring and that affects my health issues. To those wondering about The Role of a Father story...I a have not abandoned it and will get to this soon.
now onto the story...
Hoss and Clint rode hard for home.
Mike saw the sign of riders from his lookout spot, the window of the barn, where he had reluctantly been allowed to go only if he promised to be out of sight. He called down to the ranch hand who was helping the family stay safe, "Someone's coming near, Mr. Paul."
Paul told the boy to get back out of sight and he moved quickly to take cover by the homestead entrance.
"Hey ahead, it's Clint and Hoss don't shoot!" yelled a voice.
Mikey's heart knew that the man he knew as a father figure was home and it meant he had most likely found Ray as he had promised not to come home without him. Mikey was learning quickly that Cartwright men kept their word. Still he remained out of sight in his place in the barn not wanting to anger the ranch hand, who had warned him of any more misbehaving and who had told him to do exactly as he said or he would have to remain inside the house. Mike wanted, no needed, to feel useful in some way even though he had been told he could not have a gun.
When the riders were close enough that Paul could verify them properly to be who they said they were, he called out, "Hey Clint, Hoss. Did you find him?" Then he spotted the small bundle with Hoss in front of him in the saddle.
"Yes, he's got him! Mikey you run back to the house and tell the doc to get ready."
"Yes, sir!" The boy came out of his hiding position, quickly climbed down the ladder, safely and went and opened the door before running off towards the house, as fast as he could calling for the doctor. "Dr Martin! Dr Martin, come quick! They got him! Pa's home and he's got Ray too!"
A previously sleepy little boy on the couch woke up due to his brother's yelling. "Wh…What's going on?" he asked as he rubbed his eyes.
Mikey burst into the house. "Ray's home! Henry, wake up! Pa's come home and he brought Ray home too."
"Yay! Yay! Papa's home and Ray's home too," added the jubilant and now much more awake younger boy. He slipped off the sofa and ran to the door to see for himself.
In the main bedroom at the back of the homestead….
"You hear that, Caroline? Hoss is back home, and he's brought home your boy. Now you stay firmly in this bed and rest. As soon as I have checked him over, I promise I will let you see him," said Dr Martin softly.
"You go see boy, Doctor. I stay with Ms Caroline," said Mai Ling.
"Thank you, Mai Ling." The doctor patted Caroline's hand and she smiled weakly back at him.
"Thank you, Paul."
"You're welcome, Caroline. Anytime," he returned before leaving the room.
Caroline's head was feeling much better now but the doctor still insisted that she needed to rest up. She had gotten dizzy whenever they had tried to sit her up, to make her more comfortable.
When the doctor exited the bedroom and started for the main door Henry joined his brother to run outside and greet the returners.
"Pa!" called Mikey.
"Papa, you're home! You're home!" called Henry from the porch, where they excitedly waited for the horses to be pulled up by the barn.
Hoss managed a tired smile just for them, "Hey, boys. Look who we found." He gently shook the bundle, which was really a tired and sore little boy in front of him, awake. "Raymond! Raymond! Son come on; we are home. Wake up."
The little boy opened his eyes and wiped away the crusts of sleep with the back of his knuckles. He then noticed where he was, and he started crying with joy, glad to be home safely.
The doctor approached the horses. He went to stand next to Hoss, while Paul the ranch hand went to take hold of the horse's reins to steady him.
"Here Hoss, let me take him for you. Is he injured?" offered Dr Martin, with his arms raised.
"A bit shook up, doc. He's got some cuts and grazes and he's been real quiet since we started for home. Oh, and doc there's an injured man travelling behind us with the others. He's gonna need treating when he gets here."
The doctor nodded as he accepted the boy into his arms, "I'll deal with him but for now let's deal with this one. Raymond, it's Dr Martin. Do you remember me? It's okay, I've got you, son. I won't hurt you," he told him softly as he turned to go back to the house.
"Out of the way please boys," he told them. "I know you want to see him but I need to check him over first."
Mikey and Henry let the doctor walk past them and then they turned their attention to Hoss.
Clint meanwhile had dismounted from his own horse. He told Hoss to go see his family and he and Paul would see to the horses.
"Thanks Clint." Hoss dismounted and handed over the reins then he walked up to the house. He went down on one knee as soon as he reached the porch, "Come here, boys," he said opening his arms. It didn't take any further prompting, both of them flew into their guardians' arms and were gathered into his chest in the biggest and warmest hug Hoss could manage right then.
"Papa!" gushed Henry and he cried into the man's shirt, happy and also relieved to see him again.
"It's ok now, son. I'm home," Hoss kissed the top of Henry's head as he rubbed his back to soothe him. "I'm home now and so is your brother."
Mikey laid his head against his father figure's shoulder and accepted the comfort of the hug. He didn't cry like Henry, but his eyes were moist. He was trying to be the brave one after all. They all remained on the ground comforting each other for about 5 minutes.
Meanwhile in the barn, Clint regaled Paul of their hunt for the kidnappers and what he knew of their location. While they worked together taking care of the horse's they both speculated on who the kidnapper might be and why the boy had been taken in the first place.
"It's got to have been someone that knows the land well," said Paul.
"Yeah, that's what I reckon too," replied Clint. "Could be someone who has a grudge against the Cartwright's or hired guns who have been looking around for days before they planned their moves. Or possibly a mixture of both. The lad said one of them was his Pa though."
"You reckon he just wanted him back? Hey, wasn't he the one Hoss said he would kill iffin he got his hands on him? Hurt the boy real bad so someone told me."
"Yep, that's the one. Probably why Mr Ben sent him away home with the boy. You know Mr Cartwright senior, he believes justice should come from the law. Saying that though I doubt the boy would have trusted anyone else after what he's been through."
Finished with the task of watering and feeding for now, they each picked up a combing brush and started on grooming the dirt, from the trail, from the horses coats.
Back on the porch...
Hoss patted both boys on the back when he felt they had had enough of his initial attempts to give them some comfort. He wanted to... no needed to go see Caroline now. He stood up, "Come on boys, it's time to go and see your mama." He picked up Henry, setting him so he could carry him in one arm, then with his other hand he placed it on the older boy's shoulder and used it to guide him back into the house.
"Ma is probably sleeping, Pa. Miss Mai Ling and the doctor have been looking after her real good while you've been gone and Henry and I've been helping too. I've helped keep a lookout for the bad men while Henry's helped Miss Mai Ling in the kitchen," Mike told him as they walked into the house.
"Have you? That's very good to hear boys. I hope you have both been behaving as well?"
"Yes, sir," said Henry without thinking
Mikey bit his lip and looked down at the floor.
"Mikey?"
"Well, yes sir, mainly but I got to tell you something and you ain't gonna be real happy."
"What is it, Mikey?" Hoss guided him to a couch and set Henry down to sit next to his brother while Hoss knelt in front of them. "Tell me what happened," he told them softly.
"Uhm, well you see, I didn't want to stay here and just let you and the other men go find Ray. Pa, I can look after myself and I saved Ray and Henry and I've looked after them both afore."
"Ah, so let me guess, you tried to sneak out to come and help look for your brother and got caught doing so. Am I right?"
Mikey nodded while looking down, "Yes, sir."
"And what about you, Henry?"
"Me too, papa. I tried to go help Mikey. We wanted to save Ray, Papa."
"I know you did boys, but that was very foolish. You were asked to stay here because we wanted you two to be safe. I didn't want to lose any of my boys let alone search and find one while I lost the other two."
"Sorry, Pa."
"I'm...sniff, s..sorry...p...papa," said Henry starting to cry again.
Hoss reeled Henry immediately into his arms. "Ssh, it's alright, Henry. Papa forgives you. It must have been very scary for both of you witnessing your mama getting hurt and your brother taken away at gun point." He pulled back and caressed the boy's face with a large weathered thumb, "I am so glad you weren't hurt, Henry." He kissed his forehead then released him only to reach forward and lift up Mikey's chin with a finger, "As for you my brave boy, you were hurt by those bad men but you still fought to protect your family. I am so proud of you, son. But no more trying to be a hero. I'm the one who is going to keep you all safe from now on. You are just a little boy and I want you to be able to be one, just like the others from now on. Okay?"
"Yes, sir."
Hoss smiled and pulled Mikey into a hug and kissed the top of his head, "Good, because if you don't listen then I will have a conversation with your behind that neither of us will enjoy. Got it?"
"Yes, Pa."
"Good boy," he released him and told them to keep the noise down while he went to see their brother, promising that as soon as the doctor said it was ok they would be allowed in to see him.
The doctor took Raymond into the boys' room. "Okay, so let's take a good look at you then, young man," he said gently. After setting him down carefully on the bed he helped the boy off with his clothes speaking softly to him all the while. He both observed how he moved and asked Ray to tell him if he hurt where he was being touched.
Raymond answered all the doctor's questions, wincing and owing when a sore spot was irritated by either clothing being removed or the doctor's gentle touches along limbs, his head and torso.
"Well, young man, I think with plenty of rest, some medicine and some of Mai Ling's special chicken soup you'll be just fine. But first we need to get you cleaned up and your minor injuries treated. Tell me, Raymond, do you think you can manage a bath if I get Mai Ling to prepare one for you? Or would you like me or your Papa to bathe you?"
Just then there was a knock at the door, "Come in," the doctor said.
Hoss entered the room. "Hey, doc. How's my boy doing, and can the other boys come in yet, they are itching to see how their brother is?"
"Yes, they can come in and see him, Hoss provided they don't disturb him too much. Actually, I think it's a good idea for Ray to have some company for a few minutes but then I need to get him cleaned up properly. He needs to be bathed and then I can care for the minor injuries he has."
Hoss nodded and with a smile he walked back and opened the door calling out to Mikey and Henry, who were waiting nervously outside. "You may come on in, boys."
Mikey and Henry rushed into the room. They cautiously walked nearer to the bed.
"Don't worry boys your brother is going to be just fine, but he needs to rest and have a nice bath in a minute so I can care for him properly, so no messing about, understood? Hoss, can I have a word please?"
"Sure, doc. Boy's you've heard the doctor, don't you go jumping about on that bed now."
"We won't, Pa," said Mikey.
Hoss and the doctor went to stand by the doorway of the room to talk quietly and Henry and Mikey got closer to the bed.
"Are you okay, Ray?" Henry asked.
"Yeah, Henry. I'm okay, just a bit sore."
"Can we get up on the bed?" Henry asked out loud.
Dr Martin interrupted his conversation with Hoss to say, "You may get on the bed, boys and get nearer to your brother, but be careful please, he is very dirty, tired and very sore."
Henry immediately climbed up onto the bed and crawled nearer to Ray while Mikey sat on the chair at the side of the bed.
"Mr Hoss? Mr Hoss? Miss Caroline is asking for you," called Mai Ling from outside the bedroom.
Hoss excused himself from the conversation with the doctor and with a quick word to the boys to do as they were told he rushed off.
"Mike look after your brothers," said Dr Martin. "I'll go get Mai Ling to put on some hot water to prepare a bath for Ray. Ray, I'll put some salve on those cuts and grazes after your bath. Okay? I'll go make you up something to ease the soreness now. Behave boys. Ray has been through quite a lot in the last day or so."
"We will, Dr Martin," they promised.
Henry sat down on the bed beside Ray and reached out to touch the boy's face, checking for himself that the boy was real and not a figment of his dreams or imagination. "Ray, you are really home!" he said with a smile of relief. "Why'd they take you?"
Ray started sobbing, "It was my Papa..."
"Not now boys please. Ray you don't have to speak about that right now. You boys may ask your questions of him later," said the doctor from the doorway.
"Yes, sir."
Mikey looked over at the injured little boy in the bed, "I am really glad you are home, little brother. I was real scared they would hurt you bad."
"Little Brother? I'm your brother now?" Raymond asked. "Not just a friend?"
"Nope! Now we are all real brothers, all of us. We are a real family, us boys and Mama Caroline and Papa Hoss. Mama says so. They want to make us theirs all real legal like, with papers and everything."
Ray sniffled and wiped at his face as he tried to smile, "I'd like that. Two new brothers and a new mama and papa."
He winced when Henry accidentally touched a sore part of his upper left arm, when he tried to hug him. "I'm sorry! Really sorry, Ray. I didn't mean to hurt you," said the smaller boy quickly.
The doctor returned to the room with the medical powders he was making up for Ray after hearing the cry of pain. "Mikey, I said you two needed to be careful of your brother because he is still very sore!" he scolded. "You may all be on the bed together if you want to but be very careful please."
"Yes, sir. We will be, sorry", said Henry. He moved to lay down and turned onto his side to face Ray, then reached out and put his arm over Ray's chest careful to avoid the same place on the arm this time. "Is this ok, Ray?" he asked. Ray nodded. The younger boy smiled and didn't speak further.
Mikey glanced back at the doctor, who was now standing by the dresser continuing to mix up the medicine he had brought in with him. He decided that the younger boys both had a good idea so he too climbed up on the bed but on the other side of Ray than Henry. He asked if he could put his arm over Ray too. When the middle child said he could, Mikey cuddled up to him with his arm over Raymond's body and on top of Henry's.
Ray sighed contentedly as he looked at each of them in turn, even though he was tired and aching a whole lot, he felt so much better being in their company, as they had always cuddled up together when they were on the run, mainly to keep warm.
The doctor smiled at the sight when he finished mixing up the medicine. He walked over to the bed. "Raymond, I have mixed up this medicine to help with the soreness you are feeling. I want you to drink it all down and then I will let you boys have a few minutes to talk together until the bath is ready, but mind what I said earlier, your brother isn't up to all your questions right now."
The boys all sat up to allow the doctor to help Ray drink the medicine then they laid down again and resumed their cuddling. The doctor smiled down at them for a few seconds, then taking the cup that previously had medicine in he left the room to go and find Mai Ling. He found her making some fresh coffee in the kitchen.
"Hoss still in with Caroline?" he asked.
"Yes. Mr Hoss asked to be alone with Ms Caroline for a while and also ask for some coffee. He say to remind you that a man injured on the trail helping bring Master Ray home will be coming here soon and he will need your help."
"Ah yes, I remember. Well, when they get here, I will treat him. For now, could you boil up some water for a bath for the injured boy please? He is quite filthy, and I want to see he is bathed properly before I treat his cuts and bruises with some ointment."
"Yes, Dr, I will get some on now," she moved around the kitchen getting out all the pot and pans she had and started filling them with water from the kitchen pump. When each was sufficiently filled, she then put them on the stove top, wherever she could or nearby, then she added more wood to the stove boiler. "Plenty hot water will be ready soon, doctor. How is Master Ray?"
"Tired, sore, dirty and I expect quite emotionally drained, Mai Ling. But the important thing is that he is alive and back home here with people who care very deeply for him. He will need all that support in the days ahead. He may be very scared of being alone for some time."
"Yes, I think so too," she agreed. "I make some of uncles special tea to help him sleep, after he has been bathed."
"You have been very helpful here, Mai Ling. You know your late uncle would be proud of you, for following on in his footsteps."
"Thank you, doctor. Uncle Hop Sing very favourite uncle. He share the knowledge of healing when Mai Ling visit him. Mai Ling like to be of help and Uncle Hop Sing happy to teach. He write all knowledge down for family to have too. Mai Ling like to learn how to grow and use special herbs to heal and help others. Men and family always in need for it in some way on ranch. Long ride to go to town."
The doctor nodded, "It is," he agreed.
Mai Ling checked the status of the pot of coffee and removed it from the stove with a cloth and poured some into a cup which she offered to the doctor, who accepted it gratefully. She poured the rest into another smaller pot which she added to a tray ready to take into Hoss and Caroline.
"May Ms Caroline have some coffee, Doctor? Or should Mai Ling take in something else like lemonade or milk?"
"Caroline can drink the coffee now, if she wishes to, but please remind her that she should only have half a cup, she still needs to rest or that concussion will incapacitate her for much longer than she or the rest of us wants it too."
Mai Ling gave a slight nod of acknowledgment. "I will tell, Mr Hoss your instructions." She collected the tray from the sideboard and left the kitchen with it.
A short while later Mai Ling was back in the kitchen supervising the water heating up in the various pots and pans for Ray's bath. Clint and Dr Martin were both drinking coffee at the dining table in the main room. The other ranch hand, Paul had come in earlier and taken his coffee back outside to keep watch. He felt they should still have someone on lookout, and he was the most refreshed of the Cartwright's men.
"Where are they?" Clint mused, tapping his right foot nervously against the wooden floor. "They should've been here by now. Something's gotta be wrong."
"How badly injured was this man, Clint?"
"Pretty bad, doc. He was bleeding again from the leg, but Hank said he could deal with it and they would be right after us. I know it coulda taken a while to refix the bandages to stop the bleeding, maybe, but we've been back quite a while and they shoulda been here by now."
"Then perhaps I should let Mai Ling deal with the boy for now? Hoss is home and he can help take care to help with him and Caroline."
"Clint! Doc! Looks like Spencer's coming in but he's all alone. There must be something wrong," yelled Paul, the ranch hand from outside.
Clint and the doctor left the table and ran out of the house.
"Oh, thank God!" yelled Spencer when he had entered the yard and saw the doctor. "Doc, I'm glad you're still here. We need you urgently! Jerry won't make it without you."
Clint grabbed a canteen from the porch and ran it over to Spencer offering it up to him, as he was still in the saddle. The younger man gratefully took it and took a long drink from it, the trail was dusty and he had rode hard, worried that Jerry's life could very well be in his hands.
"I'll get my bag," said the doctor and he ran back into the house.
"Paul, get Spencer some coffee and take care of his horse," ordered Clint.
"No, Clint. I'll go with the doc. You go rest up, you're exhausted. Just tell me where to find them. Spence can take care of his own horse and then stay here and get some coffee."
Clint sighed, he really was exhausted, "Alright fine, Paul. You take Spencer and go get yourself a rested horse. Spencer can tell you where to find them. I'll make sure the doc's buggy is ready; he will need it to bring Jerry back here if he can't ride back."
Spencer dismounted his own horse and went with Paul to the barn. He took care to water and feed his horse some oats, as he explained everything that had happened since Hoss and Clint had left them with Jerry earlier.
Paul chose one of Hoss's spare horses that needed some exercise, he saddled it as he listened to the story and the instructions on where to find the others from Spencer. By the time the doctor was ready to leave in his buggy, Paul was done preparing himself and he led the horse out from the barn.
"I'm all ready to go when you are, doc!"
Dr Martin climbed into his buggy with his medical bag and took up the reins. "Let's go." The two of them were waved off by Clint and Spencer then Clint led the younger man back to the house to wash up and get some coffee.
Elsewhere...
Hank was caring for Jerry the best way he could, he was mopping the sweat from the injured man's brow and praying hard for help to come soon. He prayed and cursed equally under his breath at the unfairness of life. Jerry had been a good and honest man and he needn't have come from town to help but he had and now he could lose his life for doing the right thing. Before long Hank heard the sound of something coming up from behind him and so he turned and looked up to see a cloud of dust and a rider coming towards them. He couldn't see if it were friend or foe yet so he drew his gun ready to protect Jerry from any further harm.
When the leader of the cloud of dust neared, he saw he wasn't riding with guns out and he also wasn't alone either. Hank blew out a heavy sigh of relief at seeing a buggy behind the man on horseback and he realised it was help for Jerry.
Paul waved and called out to Hank that he had brought the doctor to him.
"Finally!" Hank said forcefully. "Help is here, Jerry," he said shaking his shoulder a little. "The doctor is here. Hold on Jerry. Stay with us please!" He mopped at the man's brow still with his wettened handkerchief and watched until the rescuers arrived and then stood himself up.
The doctor brought his buggy to a halt nearby, he set the brake, tied the reins off and grabbed his black medical bag before climbing down and rushing quickly to kneel down beside the injured man, to start assessing the situation.
"What happened?" he asked.
"He's in a really bad way, doc. He fell off his horse and looks like he has something in his leg. It's been bleeding real bad and it smells something awful. I've tried cleaning it out and cauterising the wound but it still keeps weeping and bleeding. Can you do anything to save him? He's a real good man."
"I don't know yet, Hank. I'll do my best. Jerry, it's Dr Martin. I'm going to check you over now. Stay with me. Listen to my voice and stay with me."
The doctor looked Jerry over with both eyes and firm but gentle hands. He muttered to himself while he did so. He shook his head when he saw the shape the leg was in even though Hank clearly had done the best job he could. He opened his bag and withdrew strips of bandages and picked out a stick he carried with him to make a tourniquet with. He set the tourniquet higher up on the injured man's leg then pulled out some scissors and cut away some of the bandaging around the wound and cursed, it was bad, very bad. Jerry needed an urgent operation, but he couldn't do it here there was far too much risk. The wound had already become infected and from the fever Jerry was also sporting it was clear to him that he needed to try and stop the infection from getting worse or Jerry would lose his whole leg or he could even die.
The doctor used all the water in the canteen he had with him, to wash away as much of the blood, lose dirt and weeping pus around and in the wound and then returned to the open bag. Hank had clearly tried burning the wound or cauterising, but it hadn't been fully successful. The doctor took out some powders and herbs that Mai Ling had given him. They were a mix that he hoped might make a poultice that would stop the infection from getting worse. The doctor asked out loud for another canteen of water and he was given one. He poured both herbs and water into a cup and mixed it with a thin piece of metal he used to measure quantities of medicine with. He made the thick mixture into a poultice and spread it over and around the wound entry then put clean bandages on and wound them tightly around the leg, to keep the poultice in place. He eased off the pressure in the tourniquet to allow a little more blood flow but left it in place as it would help to keep the man from bleeding out. That done he rinsed the cup and used his own mix of pain control powders to mix up something for Jerry to drink, to ease his pain and also deal with the man's fever.
"Help me sit him up a little, please," he ordered curtly. Both ranch hands dropped down to their knees to help him sit Jerry up.
The doctor poured the medicine into Jerry's mouth and encouraged him to swallow by massaging his throat. "Jerry, can you hear me? We need to get you somewhere I can operate. Fight to stay with us please. Boys, I need you to help me get him into the back of my buggy."
"But doc! Can't you do what ya need to do here?" asked Hank. "I don't think he can make it anywhere else."
"No, I cannot, operate here, Hank. I'm sorry but I need a lot of hot water to sterilise my equipment and a cleaner place to put him, so he has a chance. You did the best you could here, but we need to take him somewhere I can do a proper job, he may still lose the leg as it is. Hoss' homestead isn't far and the powders I gave him should help make him comfortable and the poultice hopefully will keep the infection at bay long enough for us to get there. If I even, try to operate here he will definitely die, and Mai Ling can also help me with the operation. Now help me get him into the buggy. Oh, and I will need one of you to drive it back while I stay in the back to monitor him. The other one of you should ride ahead and ask Mai Ling to put on as much hot water as she can. Tell her to sterile knives and a cleaver and make sure I have hot water and lots of soap. Also tell Hoss to move a table somewhere I can work at a reasonable height and tear up some sheets for bandages."
Hank and Paul, along with the doctor slowly and carefully transferred Jerry into the back of the doctor's buggy. Then Hank sent the younger man, Paul, back to the homestead ahead of them along with Jerry's horse. He tied his own onto the back of the buggy, then returned and kicked out the small fire, covering it over heavily with dirt to make sure it was out. A fire here would not be good. He went and climbed up into the front of the buggy and took hold of the reins and kicked off the brake so they could leave as soon as the doctor gave the ok.
"You ready back there, doc?"
"Yes, Hank. Just drive as fast as you can safely manage. Time is of the essence now. I need to operate as soon as possible."
By the time the doctor's buggy had arrived back at the homestead with Jerry, Mai Ling had boiled lots of hot water and knifes just as she had been asked. Spencer and Hoss had set up a clean area around the dining table which had also been covered with clean sheets and a pillow to cushion the injured man's head. The area had been washed off with hot water and soap and a fresh bowl of hot water and soap were placed nearby just before the doctor and the others brought the injured man into the house.
The younger boys had also been moved further back in the house to stay with Caroline in her bedroom. This left the boys room free for the injured man to be moved into, if he survived the operation.
Between the ranch hands and Hoss, Jerry was carefully transported into the house and placed onto the dining table. "Everyone but Mai Ling, please leave," ordered the doctor.
The ranch hands left to go wait outside, while Hoss went to go be with his wife and boys. He knew the doctor would do everything he could for the injured man and if he was needed... well someone would come for him.
Together the doctor and Mai Ling worked to cut away Jerry's dirty and bloody clothing. Mai Ling then let the doctor wash himself ready for the surgery, while she washed Jerry down with cloths of warm water and a small amount of soap. She washed off as much of the sweat and blood away from the body as she could and was especially diligent around the bandages.
When the doctor said he was ready to operate, Mai Ling used the ether rag the doctor passed to her, to make sure that Jerry was sedated, then she went to help the doctor at the other end of the table. She cut away and unwrapped the bandages from the wound as she was asked and started removing the residue of the poultice and pressed clean sterilised cloths to the wound to stem the flow of bleeding even though for they had left the tourniquet still intact.
The doctor breathed in carefully as the stench of the infection was already at gagging level. "Okay Mai Ling, this isn't going to be pleasant. Why don't you look after trying to keep him cool at the other end of the table and make sure he stays under. Use the ether rag again if you see him stirring. I will ask for any extra help I need down here as we go on."
"Yes, doctor," she immediately moved to do as he said.
The doctor cut away at the wound removing the damaged and infected flesh. He quickly located and removed the stones that were in the wound and most likely brought in the infection, with a pair of tweezers. The work was hot and messy. He found Mai Ling, without asking him if he needed her help, either wiping the blood and pus from the wound for him, or even mopping the sweat from his brow.
He sighed heavily as he tried stitching the flesh and sinews back into place, only to have it split open again and again. "Dammit! It's no use. The damage to this leg is just too bad. Mai Ling, this leg is going to have to come off," he whispered. Mai Ling agreed with the doctors assessment, she had helped with surgery of cattle and other injuries to men on the ranch before and she followed the doctor's instructions to get the saw and cleaver ready for him to use.
An hour and a half later the doctor stood back and wiped his hands clean on a towel "Well Mai Ling, all we can do now is watch and pray. Thank you for all your help. You're wasted at just being a housekeeper. You should work in medicine."
"You very welcome, doctor. But I am not good enough doctor. Mai Ling content to help out when family needs her."
"You underestimate yourself, my dear," the doctor said, and he went to check on Jerry's eyes and feel his pulse. "We should move him to somewhere more comfortable while we can."
Mail Ling went to call in the ranch hands and Jerry was moved into the boy's room and made as comfortable in the bed as could be.
"You stay with patient, doctor. I clean up and make everyone some coffee and sandwiches."
"Alright. Thank you, Mai Ling for all your help."
She nodded and smiled then left the room to go and do what she had promised.
When she had cleaned up the main room from the mess of the surgery, she took the bloody cloths and clothing to be soaked outside in a bucket of salty cold water. Then she wrapped up the removed leg and took it away and put it where the boys wouldn't accidentally find it. She didn't know if it should be burnt on a fire so for now she wrapped it tightly in cloths and string and set it in the coolest place in the homestead which was the larder at the back. Next, she started on fixing the coffee and food everyone would now be hungry for.
Thirty minutes later a large plate of beef and gammon ham sandwiches and coffee for the adults and milk for the boys were provided to Hoss, Caroline and family who were all together on the bed in their room. Ray was fast asleep in the middle of the bed, next to Caroline but the other two boys were cuddling up with either Hoss or Caroline. Mikey with Hoss and Henry with Caroline.
"Oh, thank you, Mai Ling," said Hoss. He let go of Mike and rolled off the bed to stand up and he motioned her outside of the room to ask quietly. "How is he?"
"Doctor operate and do what could be done. Mr Jerry lose leg. Now need pray that good man survive the day, his chances better if that happen."
"Oh god, poor Jerry," said Hoss tiredly and he thanked Mai Ling for being there to help them. He returned to the bedroom and sat on the bed and began handing out the food. Mai Ling returned to her kitchen to make up trays of sandwiches and coffee for the doctor and the ranch hands.
"Hoss?" asked Caroline softly, clearly wanting news of Jerry's situation.
"He's still with us but lost the leg," Hoss replied quietly.
Caroline's eyes watered but she didn't say anything, she nodded acknowledgment and then focused on getting Henry to have a sandwich and a glass of milk.
Hoss and Mikey sat up and ate slowly. They were both hungry and thirsty, but Mikey was looking at Ray all the time.
Hoss finished his own food and he rubbed the older boy's back as he watched him eat, "Everything is going to be alright now, son. You can relax and I want you to get some sleep after this."
"But, pa…"
"Mikey, you all need to rest and your uncle, grandpa and the others will capture those men. You will be safe here now and so will your brothers."
Mikey finished his sandwiches and milk and allowed Hoss to guide him back into laying down. Henry was encouraged to do the same when he was finished eating. Hoss decide to sit in a chair, and he picked up a book and started reading it aloud. Before long Caroline and all the boys were fast asleep. Hoss smiled and read quietly, he hadn't liked books much when forced into reading as a boy but as an adult he had picked up his older brother's love of a good read when he had the chance and Caroline often liked for him to read aloud to her in the evenings, before the boys had come into their lives to liven things up.
Hoss eventually fell asleep too and didn't stir when Mai Ling came in to check on them. She retreated when she saw they were all asleep and next went in to check on the doctor taking him some more coffee.
Clint and the doctor were whispering in the corner of the bedroom when Mai Ling lightly knocked on the door and was given entry.
"More coffee, doctor."
"Thank you, Mai Ling."
"Doc, you get a couple of hours rest, I'll stay with Jerry. I feel better after my few hours and I promise I will come get you if you are needed," Clint said.
"Well, if you are sure?"
"Of course, I am. Paul's got his head down, Spencer is keeping a look out and Hank is gonna relieve him in two hours. We all gotta get some rest you know, even doctors."
Dr. Martin smiled at that, "Alright I will take you up on that. I'll be in a chair in the main room. Come wake me if he wakes up at all or there are any signs of distress."
"I promise, doc," replied Clint and he smiled at Mai Ling. "You should go get some rest too, Miss Mai Ling."
"I will if I am not needed," she inclined her head and said goodnight to both men.
"That woman is a very special lady," said the doctor.
"She sure is, doc. Now go on, scoot. I've got some coffee to drink."
The doctor checked on Jerry one last time then bade Clint goodnight before leaving the room. Clint poured himself a cup of coffee then he settled down in the chair to keep watch over the injured older man.
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