Chapter 1. Going Hunting

At the Edward's home Isaiah is talking with Grace while both are doing dishes. Isaiah says, "Grace, I want to go hunting for Venison and I want to take Carl with me."

Gace responds, "He's just a boy. I don't think he's ready. I'm not for it."

Isaiah says, "It's time he learned. He wants to go. I say goes. He loves the Wild game I bring home. He would be thrilled at the chance to get some himself. C'mon Grace, I'll take good care of him. I promise."

Grace answers in return, "Well, you better. Okay Carl can go."

Isaiah calls out to Carl in his room combing his hair, "Son you and me's gonna go hunting. How about that?

Carl filled with glee says, "Whoopiee!! Than asks, "Can I shoot, Pa?"

Isaiah answers, "That might could be arranged, son."

Grace interjects, "Isaiah, now you don't let him get hurt!"

Isaiah replies, "I'll help him hold the gun. He won't get hurt."

Grace in relief says, "Well alright you see to it."

Carl thinks to himself, "Ma wants to treat me like a baby," but then he thinks of how nice it would be to be out in the woods with Pa huntin' and bringin' home Christmas dinner this year.

After the dishes are washed and put away Mr. Edwards and Carl pack their gear and go off into the woods to hunt Venison. They take two horses to ride. Along the trail Mr. Edwards and Carl soak in the scenery. They see a Hawk soar high in the sky, meadow larks in an open field and hearing the gurgling of Brooks and Streams. Mostly Carl and Isaiah are quiet just looking for the best place to hunker down.

Mr. Edwards speaks, "it sure beats Walnut Grove what with all the Wagons noises, the Saw Mill and probably the best quiet of all is ain't no wimmen folk talkin,'' he laughs.

Carl laughs.

They progress through the Woods till they find the right spot. Isaiah points out the signs along the way and says about an hour later, "This would be a good place to hunt deer."

As Isaiah shows Carl the many beauties of the Woods he soaks it in and now knows more about hunting. Carl loves the manly figure his Pa is and feels proud to be his adopted son.

Nightfall approaches and no deer yet. It's a warm December night so they build a small campfire and will try their odds tomorrow but for now the campfire is comfy. All they have to eat is jerky and hard tack. Isaiah starts a pot of coffee.

Carl smells the coffee and licks his lips a little.

Isaiah notices Carl's reaction and says, "Don't worry son this trip is man-to-man. I'll give you a half a cup but don't tell your Ma she might not like it."

Isaiah hands a cup to Carl. Carl looks at it with anticipation. "Oh my first cup of coffee."

Isaiah grins in return and chuckles a little.

With supper over they retire for the evening. It's a very Starry Night. Both Isaiah and Carl bed down for the evening. The fire is crackling, the night sounds of the woods, the wind blows a little. It is so peaceful. Isaiah and Carl lay there a moment in silence with their eyes still open. Carla asks, "Pa, how was it the night Jesus was born?"

Isaiah clears his throat once and says, "I reckon it must be something like this. Peaceful! Isn't it son?"

"Yes, Pa very peaceful," Carl replies.

A moment of quiet then Isaiah says, "Well son we got a big day tomorrow we need our sleep."

Carl answers, "yes Pa" and goes to sleep.

Isaiah whispers under his breath, "Love you boy!" then he also goes to sleep.

Carl and Isaiah awake up the next morning and get a big eight point deer that Carl helps shoot. Isaiah tells his boy, "Carl, my you did good job shooting the deer. Now we have Christmas dinner."

Carl smiling and hugging his dad says, "Thanks Pa!"

Mr. Edwards, "Welcome son," than he puts the deer across his horse and they both head for home.

Along the way back home some Renegade Sioux Indians sees Isaiah and Carl and starts shooting arrows at them. One of the arrows hits Isaiah in the leg. Both Isaiah and Carl on horseback Isaiah yells in pain, "Carl, son we must keep going. Don't look back keep going."

Carl says, "But Pa, your hurt."

Isaiah replies, "I'll be ok we must keep going."

Both Carl and Isaiah make it back to Walnut Grove and ride into Town to sound the alarm.

Dr. Baker is on the Town Bridge overlooking Plum Creek enjoying a cup of hot coffee. Isaiah tells Carl, "Sound the Church bell while I have Dr. Baker look at my wound."

Carl races on Horseback to ring the Church bell as an alarm.

Nels is sweeping the Mercantile steps. The Ingalls are all getting back into their wagon from doing their Christmas shopping.

Commander Kaiser from the Fort at Stony Pass is talking with Mr. Hanson.

The Town gathers together at the Church to see what the ruckus is about. Carl tells them, "The Indians are coming."

Commander Kaiser steps up to where Carl is on the steps of the Church and says, "The boy is right."

Meanwhile Dr. Baker has Isaiah's leg patched up and helps Isaiah to the Church to address the Town, "What you're hearing is true. My boy and I barely made it back alive. The Indians are about five miles away."

Kaiser says, "Then we haven't much time we must go to the Fort there's no time to waste."

Mr. Ingalls pleads, "Let us go home and gather some more clothes and food."

Kaiser states, "I see your point but there simply is no time."

Nels says, "I will take extra food and clothing for families with children."

Caroline thanks Mr. Olsen.

Mr. Edwards also says, "Carl and I get a eight point deer while hunting and we will share it."

Mr. Ingalls thanks Mr. Edwards.

Lt. Brown reports to Commander Kaiser, "Both Tilden and Tracy suffered approximately 50% damage to both Towns."

Commander Kaiser and his troops lead the Town of Walnut Grove to Fort Stony Pass for safety.

Today is December 24th, what about the presents, what about the feast, what about being home for Christmas Eve? What kind of Christmas could a body have at a Fort? It will be a different kind of one for sure.

To Be Continued