Chapter 89 – Reinforcements

Sunday morning, everyone that was able gathered near the center of town, just outside the saloon. Pastor Frank offered a short prayer service and thanked God that the sun had come out. He encouraged people to help one another and as soon as possible they would try to get everyone settled in some sort of housing, even if they had to get new tents and set up them near the row houses. Just as they were finishing the service, they heard the sound of wagons. Everyone turned to see four Mounties riding into town with two wagons. Bill was never more relieved to see Captain Rushman, Constables McGinty, Carver and Green. Bill and Lee went to greet them. That was when Bill realized that they had what looked like at least three large canvas tents. Rushman looked around as he motioned for the group to stop.

"Thornton around?" Rushman asked roughly.

Bill and Lee exchanged looks. Before either of them could say anything Charlotte stepped forward.

"Captain Rushman." She said. "Nice to see you again. I guess you haven't heard. Jack was injured when he was trying to save a child down at the Silverton mine settlement. He is awake, but not out of the woods. Mayor Stanton and Sheriff Avery are in charge."

"I am sorry, Ma'am." Rushman said. "I hadn't heard. Tell us what needs to be done. We are here to help. I figured that my men can throw their packs and bedrolls in the office that was used when they went after the Garrison's."

"That sounds like a plan." Bill said stepping forward. "I will get the keys."

"Bill." Abigail said.

Bill turned to look at Abigail. "I don't care, they abandon this town and those buildings, they have a problem, they can come deal with me in person."

"Okay." Abigail said. "Duly noted."

Some people started to disperse, but most stayed. Rushman dismounted and stood in front of the crowd and looked around the town.

"Alright." Rushman said. "While we wait on Avery, who has a run down for me?"

Charlotte saw the confusion on Abigail and Lee's faces, so she once again stepped forward.

"Faith." Charlotte called.

"Yes." Faith said stepping forward.

"Captain." Charlotte said. "Nurse Faith Carter."

"How many injured?" Rushman asked.

"Six major including Jack, eighteen minor." Faith said. "Jack is upstairs in the cafe, another four in the infirmary, one at the saloon with his wife. Minor are mostly at the schoolhouse and a few at the saloon. There are two dead. One on scene of the landslide and the other this morning."

"Thank you." Rushman said. "Do you have enough room? Supplies?"

"Supplies, yes." Faith said. "Could use a place to start putting people to move them out of the schoolhouse and saloon."

"Noted." Rushman said. "Where are supplies being stored? Who is in charge?"

"Abigail." Charlotte called.

"Captain." Abigail said stepping forward.

"Madam Mayor." Captain Rushman said.

"Jack had a master list of supplies at the jail." Abigail said. "With the exception of some medical, most of the supplies are being stored in a house here in town. The house is not in use and is actually property of the town right now."

"Is the house useable?" Rushman asked.

"Yes." Abigail said. "It is a large four bedroom that was turned over to the town a couple of months ago. It has been empty since. Jack thought that it was a good place given the size and the central location."

"You still have that lumber mill in town?" Rushman asked.

"Yes sir." Lee said stepping forward. "Leeland Coulter, owner. What do you need?"

"I was wondering about some platforms to put those tents on that we brought." Rushman said.

"No problem sir." Lee said. "What do you need?"

"Go talk to Danvers over in the wagon." Rushman said. "He knows."

Lee went to talk to the man in the wagon with the tents. A number of Lee's men including Mike Hickum heard as well and were headed that way with him. Lee was glad that he was able to do something. Pastor Frank had quietly started to get people to go about their business. By this point, Bill had also returned to the group.

"Anything else Captain?" Charlotte asked.

"Let's get these horses cared for and wagons unloaded." Rushman said. "I would like to see Thornton as well. Also where do you want all these people to go?"

"Captain." Charlotte said. "Please be respectful or we are going to have a problem. This town and these people have been through a lot. We are doing our best and we treat people with respect. If you can't do that, then I will be contacting your superior. We have been taking care of things for a number of days. People know what needs to be done and things are being done. You said that you were here to help, but it sounds like you want to take over. There was a clear plan that was put in place and approved by headquarters. It clearly states that if something were to happen to Jack, that Sheriff Bill Avery, Lee Coulter and Mayor Stanton are in charge."

"Whatever." Rushman said. "I want to see Thornton."

"Sir." Faith said. "With all due respect. He is still very weak and I am worried about infection. I would prefer he rest still at least today. Also, I have restricted visitors to his wife and mother."

"Very well." Rushman said. "Please let me know when he is able to take visitors."

"I will." Faith said.

"Captain." Bill said. "The the old mining office is open. I also started the stove in there. McGinty should know where things are in there. Also, here a copy of the master list of supplies that Jack had ordered. We have used some of the medical supplies as well as many of the blankets. Some of the cots have also been set up in the schoolhouse and saloon."

"Ms Stanton." Rushman said. "We have four large tents. As soon as we get the platforms, where would you like us to set them up."

Abigail looked to Bill and Charlotte, since they hadn't actually talked about that. Pastor Frank stepped forward, since he had been in on some of the planning.

"Abigail, Bill." Pastor Frank said. "I think we could set them up either in the field behind the schoolhouse or over by the row houses. Although I think behind the schoolhouse might be easier to feed and take care of people."

"What do you think Bill?" Abigail asked.

"I think that near the schoolhouse house sounds good for now." Bill said. "We can always move them if we need to, but I think that it is important to get people out of the schoolhouse, so the kids can resume classes."

"Agreed." Abigail said.

"Okay." Rushman said. "For now, I will have the men unload the tents near the schoolhouse. I would also like to move the supplies from the house to the office building that we will be using. If it is alright with you, Ms Stanton, I think we might be able to settle a family or two in the house."

"I think that could be arranged." Abigail said. "I had thought about that this morning as an option as well for a couple of families. I also think that there are a couple other buildings that could be fixed up as we are able to get families that want to stay settled. But for now, the supplies can be moved and we will talk about getting families settled later."

"Can we sit down this evening and go over what needs to be done?" Rushman asked.

"Sure." Abigail said. "Who you want there? And may I suggest maybe after supper in my office."

"Your office would be great." Rushman said. "How about you, me, Avery, Coulter, Nurse Carter and the pastor."

"That would be fine." Abigail said. "Bill make sure everyone knows and I would like Charlotte Thornton there as well. She has been a great resource."

"Your call." Rushman huffed.

With that the towns people started to go about what they were doing. Bill and Abigail headed back to the cafe to help with getting food ready. Faith went to check on people. Charlotte had grabbed a couple of the older children and was headed to move her things from the saloon to Jack and Elizabeth's house. Rushman turned to his men and gave them orders. He then turned with his own horse and headed to care for the animal. He knew that they had a lot of work ahead of them that afternoon. Once Charlotte had moved her stuff, she organized the older children into two groups, those that were going to be helping watch the younger children and those that would be helping with chores. She wanted some of the older boys to help move the supplies and then also to take a wagon and go gather firewood. She knew that it was better to keep the kids busy for at least a short time. She didn't want them underfoot when things were being moved around.

It didn't take long for Lee to get his men working on what was needed to build the platforms. He learned that they would be putting them over by the schoolhouse. Each tent was twelve feet by ten feet, but Lee had added three inches on each side and decided to raise them up three inches as well. He knew that the ground was wet and that being up a little off the ground would help keep things dry. Lee was hoping that the men would have the platforms built within a couple of days. He was sure they had enough logs at the mill.

Jack and Elizabeth had had an uneventful night after Jack had woken up. Once Faith had checked him over, she insisted that he try to eat something and Abigail had brought up some broth for both Jack and Elizabeth. After they ate, as much as Elizabeth wanted to talk with Jack, she knew that they both needed rest, so she once again curled up to him and they fell back asleep. Elizabeth knew that Abigail and Charlotte would let them sleep as long as they wanted the next day. Elizabeth felt a little guilty about spending all her time with Jack and not helping around town, but she couldn't pull herself away for more then a few minutes at a time. Not at least until she knew that he was going to be okay. It didn't help that she also still didn't feel well. She wondered if she was getting sick again. She hadn't really gotten over what had her illness a few weeks before. She just hoped that she didn't pass whatever she had to Jack. He was sick enough and she needed him to get better.

They had both slept in on Sunday morning, but Elizabeth woke when she heard voices outside her window. When she got up to see what was going on, she saw that four Mounties had rode into town with a couple of wagons. She was glad that they had additional help, but she wondered how they knew. Then it dawned on her – Charlotte and/or Bill had sent word. She recognized the four Mounties, although she only knew the names of three. She couldn't remember the name of the other young man, but she figured that she would learn eventually. She wanted to go greet the Mounties, but at the same time, she didn't want to leave Jack especially since he was still so weak. Besides that, Jack was still sleeping. Elizabeth saw that Abigail, Bill, Lee and Charlotte were all down talking to the Mounties. She was glad that they were there and she was glad that she encouraged Jack to appoint someone in case something would happen. Seeing things were under control, Elizabeth returned to Jack's side and closed her eyes.

Rushman and the other Mounties, made quick work of unloading the wagons by the schoolhouse and then took care of the horses. Before tackling other things, they stopped to have a bite to eat. Once they were done, they worked on moving on all the supplies. They received some help from towns people. Once they got the supplies over to the old mining office, they checked what had been used and what was still there. McGinty handed the master list to Rushman and he looked it over.

"Damn." Rushman said. "How did Thornton get all this stuff?"

"Sir." McGinty said. "I don't think that matters, but I believe that some of it may have been donated. See this create – it has Hamilton Shipping on it."

"Doubt those rich asses would care about a small community way out here in the west." Rushman said. "Most of this stuff is probably stolen, wonder how Thornton got a hold of it."

McGinty didn't respond, he just turned at headed out. McGinty was worried about what Rushman had said and what he would do. After McGinty left the office, he headed out to find Bill or Abigail. He wanted them to know about Rushman. The first person that McGinty found was Bill. He relayed what Rushman had said. He also told Bill that he was worried that Rushman would try to confiscate the supplies thinking that they were stolen. Bill assured McGinty that he would take care of things, but also asked him to keep his thoughts to himself for the time being. McGinty agreed and headed back to his assignment. Bill turned and found Abigail and Charlotte. He filled them in and both were upset. Abigail said that she would handle it at the meeting. Abigail also let both know that she didn't want problems, so to try and keep the gossip down. All agreed.