Chapter
All Good Things
The exhaustion took the tot half way on the road home. Little Joe fell asleep side saddle against the chest of his brother. It was Hoss he needed to be with right now. The best friend he'd almost lost. That's the one he needed to feel next to him. That's what offered him peace. They rode in silence. Ben so grateful to have both boys returned to him. Safe. Mournful of the young boy who was lost. Though he was the source of so much of his son's pain, he didn't wish for him to die. He could have had so much life left. His father had muddled his mind. Made him think his actions were ok, but with enough time he might have grown out of it. Now he'd never have that chance. To live a good and fulfilling life. The deputy who took his life would have to forever live with that guilt. Though he had saved his son, he would never forgive himself for the boy he'd been forced to kill.
He knew Hoss would continue to struggle with this too. Try to settle things right in his mind. Put the pieces back together. He'd have to watch out for that. Be there for him when he needed him. But his boys were safe. Thank God they were safe.
It wasn't until Ben saw the horses tied to the rail post in front of his house that he remembered. He shut his eyes wishing it weren't true. God, with what everything else Hoss has had to deal with tonight, not this too. It seemed so distant now. So long ago. It could have been a dream. Except the proof was in his yard. He wished he could have prepared his son for this. Hoss looked to his pa confused as to why his friends were there. At the height of the madness, Ben had forgotten all about them. How could he have been so stupid? He saw the horse and buggy too. The doc was still there. Hoss looked at his pa curiously. Ben slid down from the saddle and went around to Hoss who silently asked the question. There were no words he could say that would explain the trouble he would find behind those doors. At this point they would both get there answers inside. Once Hoss sees for himself, he could fill in the rest. He tenderly pulls the sleeping boy into his arms.
Hoss slid down and followed his pa who was cradling Joe like a babe. Hearing the rider's approach, the doc opened the door for them. He stopped his greeting at the sight of the small boy with a bruised eye unconscious in the arms of his father. "Is he?"
"He's alright. He just needs a bed."
"They're in the boy's room." He explained. The teen whose face fared worse than the little ones peered around his pa seeking for answers. Martin was silently screaming for his own answers.
There was plenty of time for explanations whence he could get the sleeping child into a proper bed. With the two Paiute brothers occupying Hoss and Joe's bed. Ben took the sleeping boy up the stairs to his own room and laid him in his bed. He slips off the boy's shoes and socks and reaches down to pull the blanket over his petite child. Joe rolls over as he does and puts a hand on his father's face and looks at him with heavy eyes as if to see if he were still real. "Thank you Pa." He croaked. "Thank you for bringing him home." Ben places his own hand over his boys. He slides his lips to it and gives the small hand a peck before removing it from his cheek and placing it underneath the covers. Joe's lids fell closed. He rolled over and fell asleep.
"Are you alright?" Doc Martin asked the teen of the bruises that marred his face.
"Why are my friends here?" He questioned, ignoring his own quandaries. Martin was at a loss for words. Hoss didn't know. His father hadn't told him. Not a moment too soon Ben walks back down the stairs, into the living quarters to rejoin them.
"How is Hopsing?"
"He's good."
"My foreman told me he'd been hurt."
"It's not bad. Took a good blow but he'll be fine. He was up with me for a while. When there was nothing more for him to do, I gave him something to help him sleep."
"Pa, what's going on?" The two men lock eyes silently exchanging mountains of information. Ben wondering if Martin had told him anything. The doc responding with a no. You should probably tell him. Give him some forewarning before he goes in.
"Son, something happened tonight. Before you were taken." He paused struggling for the words. "Sit down a moment." He ushered his son to the Windsor and kneeled before him so his eyes were on the same level as his son's. "The reason why Little Joe was able to get away, was because your friends saw him. They intervened and gave Joe a chance to escape but in doing so they got themselves hurt." Hoss remembers McCabe telling Kyle that Indians killed his horse. He was beginning to understand it were his friends McCabe was speaking of.
"How? What happened to them?"
"Little Feather was trampled by a horse. Walks Like Bear was shot." Hoss clamped his eyes as he processed the information. After a few heavy breaths he gathered his senses and asked.
"How are they? Are they going to be okay?" To this Ben looked to Doc to explain. They both looked to the doc now. The doc pulled a chair from the dining table and sat in leaning close to the boy. "Hoss, Walks Like Bear was dead before I could get to him. Ben grimaced and dropped his head. His boy took the news like he was being stabbed right in the gut from beyond the grave. McCabe wasn't quite finished with him yet. Wasn't ready to give up the fight. He'd come back to deliver one more crippling blow to his son. Now Ben wasn't sure he'd want to ask about Little Feather. He didn't know if his son could handle anymore news like this. God, he prayed, let there be some good news in all of this. "Little Feather collapsed shortly thereafter. He's got a slow bleed in his abdomen." Ben let out a defeated sigh.
"He's alive though?" The boy asked.
"For now."
"Is he going to die?" He asked at the Docs ominous response.
"I don't know. I've done all I could for him. It's a waiting game now." Hoss was weighted in heavy sorrow. "But he's young." The doc encouraged. "He's healthy, he's strong. These are all odds that are in his favor."
Martin glanced to Ben seeking permission to pry. He felt he should, as a doctor at least ask.
"How are you doing son?" What a queer question for the doc to ask, with all that is happening. The boy thought he was speaking emotionally, but for the moment at least, his concern was for his outward injuries. The emotional ones would be dealt with in time. He sought to make that clear to the boy. "Hopsing told me about Joe. I see he took a pretty good blow to his face." Hoss glanced to the stairs his brother slept up. "I can also see that you were in quite a battle yourself. Would you like me to take a look?" He shook his head.
"I'm fine." Martin was cautious to accept this.
"Fine like you were a week ago, fine?" The memory of last week only brought about more anguish. How all this led up from that moment.
"I'm fine." Hoss forced out through near tears. Martin looked to Ben to see what the father would want him to do.
"What about Young Wolf?" Hoss interrupted their silent conversation, asking in a way as if expecting more bad news. For once he was able to offer sanguine.
"He escaped injury for the most part. He was grazed by a bullet to his upper bicep. Took off some skin. He's got a pretty good friction burn which I bandaged. He's in there now with his brothers. Would you like to go in?" Hoss imbibed the question before giving a subtle nod. "Come on. I'll take you." He took Hoss's hand and guided him up. With his pa's hand resting on his shoulders, the doc guided the boy into the stuffy room.
The room was filled with incense courtesy of Hopsing. Hoss recognized the aroma as licorice and rhubarb. Hoss stood near the door as if he was afraid to approach, taking in the room. Walks Like Bear was in Joes bed. Little Feather in his. Young Wolf sat at a chair at Little Feather's side.
He pushed past his fear and skulked to his friend's other side. His lips were blue. Hoss observed. Other than that, he appeared to be sleeping. Young Wolf was watchful of the friend. Respectful, giving him room as he processed the matters before them. Martin and Cartwright stood behind the boy like guiding spirits. Hoss looked down at the blanket's covering his friend wondering what was beneath them. He cautiously took hold of one end. Martin and Ben exchanged apprehensive glances. Hoss lifted the blanket and pulled it back. The breath was stolen from his lungs as a wave of fear washed over him. Oh God. He could see now it wasn't sleep that took his friend. His abdomen was near black, and distended. He was horror-struck at the sight. His father put his hands on his son's shoulder again. At this Hoss dropped the blanket and turned to bury his head in his pa. Father and son locked into each other in deep embrace.
After a few moments like this Ben asked his son. "Would you like to leave?" To which Hoss shook his head.
"Perhaps you'd like to sit with him?" The doc asked pulling a chair close to his friend. Hoss agreed and the two men helped the boy to the chair. "Maybe we should give the boy a moment." Martin suggested not just for the boy. He felt like he needed to talk with Ben outside of his presence. The silent conversations they were having around him wasn't cutting it. Martin needed to know what happened out there.
When the men had left the room, Young Wolf asked. "Your brother is safe?"
"Yes." He muttered. Young Wolf dipped his head letting this ruminate. At Young Wolf's repose, Hoss had to let him know how grateful he was at their efforts in helping to get Joe back. "Thank you." Young Wolf said nothing to Hoss's praise. In fact he said no more.
The conversation Doc Martin had with Ben was nice and long. Done over two steaming cups of coffee which Ben brewed himself as Hopsing had retired for the night. Ben told Martin of Joe's flight through the wilderness and Hoss's experience in the schoolhouse. He told of the Father and son. Two lives lost.
"It's a lot for any man to handle. Let alone a boy such as Hoss." Ben repined. "And now this."
"And now this." Ben agreed.
"Listen Ben, in light of what has happened, I could imagine I'll be needed in town. I was planning on heading back anyways when you came in. If you'd like me to stay on for your son, I will."
"No. I think the days ahead are going to be quite busy for you. You're going to need your rest where you can get it."
"At the very least I should check on Williams, but in the instance they might want me to examine the bodies."
"I understand."
"I'll come back tomorrow to check on the boys. All of them."
"Thank you."
With the master of the house finally returned and Little Feather's best friend at his side, Young Wolf felt better for leaving. Little feather was in good hands. He had to get to his tribe and tell them what had happened. His people were probably sick with worry. Their mother was probably sick with worry. Hoss guaranteed he would stay up with him. Young Wolf knew he would. He was a good friend.
"Mr. Cartwright." Young Wolf comes in. I too must go. My tribe must know of what took place here. Be much worry. I bring back men. Take brothers way."
"Young Wolf." Ben stood. "Are you sure this is what you want? You are invited to stay as long as you need."
Martin cautioned. "I don't think Little Feather is in any condition to be moved."
"White doctor generous with white medicine. But white medicine not make better. I take brother to heal by tribe medicine." At their apprehension he added. "This is what must happen. The sun is coming. I return when sun is high."
With demur, the men saw Young Wolf out and let him ride away. When the young man was out of sight, Martin turned to Ben. "I should head back myself."
"Yes. Thank you for everything you've done."
"If there's any changes let me know. I will try to make it back as soon as I can."
"Will do." When the doc had left, Ben went to join his son in silent vigil. They sat at the boy's side. Ben turned the lantern light low, anticipating the morning sun which was turning the sky. He knelt at the boy's side and prayed. Hoss prayed too. After a while Ben took the other chair and continued his vigil.
~.~
The house remained silent even as the sun became high. Little Joe had slept in and so had Hopsing. About 10 in the morning Ben and Hoss awoke to the shift in the air. They had both only lightly dozed but neither had even meant to do that. The exhaustion they both felt could only be fought for so long. Something had happened though. Just now. They both felt it. They looked to each other for explanation. Had Young Wolf returned? They listened intently. All was silent. No. The change wasn't out there. It was in here. They both looked to Little Feather now. Hoss who was closer watched him keenly. His father had come from his chair and around to the other side of the bed. Ben looked at the still, thin framed boy. He placed a palm on his head and face. Hoss could see it before his father confirmed. He'd stopped breathing. He looked to his father with pleading eyes. He didn't want it to be true. Do something. He silently begged.
"Oh son." The boy lowered his head and wept.
By mid-afternoon, Young Wolf had returned. A few more braves older than he, in their twenties perhaps, were at his side. Two makeshift travois' trailed behind their horses. Ben's ominous greeting at the door though silent spoke volumes. Young Wolf paled and pushed past running into the room his brother's had laid and stopped at the sight of his friend who was whimpering at Little Feather's bedside. His face buried in the sheets. He approached Little Feather's motionless form. Staring down on him. Watching keenly for signs of life. Hoping he'd misread the panged expression of the father and weeping of the boy. Little Feather remained still. Lifeless. He hadn't taken in a single breath. Not one, however small. He placed a hand on his ashen face. It was cold. Hoss choked on his tears. He'd gotten his answer. He hung his head as the realization came to him. He had returned to not one dead brother, but two. He had lost them both.
The father had come in to the room. "I am so sorry." Young Wolf acknowledged the father was there but gave him no words. He pushed past him out of the room to the waiting braves outside.
With the golden sun high in the sky, the group of young braves, ceremoniously strapped the bodies of their young kin to the travois' to make the journey back home. When they had finished, the three mounted their horses. Ben stopped Young Wolf and again offered his condolences.
Without looking at the father he spoke something Ben could not understand, then kicked his horse and rode out. One of the two braves went to follow. The other acted as if he was going to follow but stopped. He turned to the father.
"He say, 'your boys are safe and mine are not.'" He nodded slightly then kicked his horse out to join his companions.
Little Feather was brooding. He had refused to speak a word more to Cartwright. The only words he'd spoken to him had been in his own language and needing translation. This concerned the father. He felt for the boy who was obviously grieving.