TRAIN—
Jim replaced the telegraph and sat thinking. President Grant would be joining for most of the remainder of their trip to Fredericksburg, and he didn't want Artemus told. That would be the easy part. The hard part would come when Artemus found out. Jim busied himself getting the main car ready for the President when he heard Alex called on the horn.
"Yes, Alex, what is it?"
"Mr. West, just letting you know we will be able to move the train by noon tomorrow."
"That's great news, Alex, Artie will be very grateful to hear that. And Alex…"
"Yes, sir?"
"We will be picking up the President along the way but no one, and I mean absolutely no one is to inform Artie."
"Understood sir, I'll just have all the men steer clear of Mr. Gordon until after he arrives."
"All right, Alex. And tell the men to look sharp and make this train shine."
"Consider it done, Mr. West," Jim closed the connection and headed out.
Later that evening Jim had taken his supper into Artie's room, bringing Artie more broth. He had wanted Artie on solid foods by now but his friend showed no interest. Jim hoped the President would being a physician with him. He busied himself cleaning Artie's room as quietly as he could. He paused by the bed and watched his friend for a bit.
"It's not polite to stare, James," Artie said as he cracked open one eye.
"Sorry, pal, I was just checking up on you. I've got some news for you that I think you're gonna like," Jim smiled
"Oh really, well, don't keep me in suspense spit it out man," Artie moved to sit up and groaned.
"Just lay back, Artie. You don't need to stand or in your case sit at attention (just yet)," Jim said.
"Okay, Jim, whatever you say," Artie leaned back into the pillows.
"I got a reply from Jeremy. The mudslide will be cleaned up ahead of schedule and we can probably be moving by tomorrow afternoon," Jim beamed, glad to finally be giving his friend some good news.
"Say, that is good news. Two more days and we should be in Fredericksburg. Then we…"
"We, Artie?" Jim interrupted him," the only thing your part of the we is going to be doing is going straight to the hospital. And before you voice your totally worthless objections, just let me say it's a done deal. An ambulance wagon will be meeting us at the depot to escort you to the hospital on orders of the President," Jim grinned.
"The President? Oh boy, James, am I in trouble or what?"
"No, pal, relax. President Grant just doesn't like people messing with his agents and especially it seems when said agent is you. He just wants you checked out. He probably doesn't trust my handiwork,"
"I don't blame him I was a bit apprehensive myself but since I seem to have made it through with virtually no problems I'll vouch for you," Artie commented as he returned Jim's smile with one of his own.
"Thanks a lot, pal, I think," Jim laughed, "now on a more serious note…"
"Not more medicine, Jim."
"No, Artie, I was just going to suggest that you get some more of this broth down. It isn't that steak you want but will be soon I hope."
"Yeah sure, Jim. I am a bit hungry, I think I missed another meal, sorry."
" I don't think you missed a meal, pal, I know you did, two of them in fact. But that's all right, sleep is important too."
They sat in relative silence while Jim spooned the broth into Artie's mouth. Jim noted the sullen and withdrawn look in his partner's eyes and knew he still hadn't beaten the fever. He silently wished the President would hurry.
After Artie finished a bit more than he had the last time, Jim set the bowl aside and took in his partner's appearance. Artie looked exhausted, even though he had been sleeping quite a bit. He looked like he had aged ten years. Jim reached for Artie's leg.
"Aww, Jim not again, please?"
"It's okay I just want to check on the infection. Why is something bothering you? Are you feeling all right?"
"I'm just tired of all this poking and prodding, that's all."
"I don't blame you, pal. I'll try to make this quick."
Jim looked at Artie's leg and was glad to see the infection seemed to have drained. He decided to cover it again and dressed the wound. He paused once when Artie hissed in pain. Once the leg was finished, Jim tried to encourage Artie to eat more broth but he declined saying he just wanted to sleep. Jim took a long walk hoping to clear the cobwebs from his mind; it felt good to get away from the train for a little while, even if he felt a little guilty at leaving Artie.
The walk, having cleared his head some, made Jim feel a little more invigorated and greatly improved his mood. Things were beginning to look up for them and very soon he would able to head out after the men responsible for this whole mess. He entered the stable car and made sure his horse was bedded down and the stall cleaned. He headed back to Artie's room. He sank into the chair and within minutes was snoring softly.
Artemus began to stir and realized they were moving, how long have I been asleep? He felt a presence in the room and he slowly opened his eyes to see Jim on one side of his bed, and a tall slender man he didn't readily recognize was leaning over him. Artie drew back in surprise and shock. Jim reached out and placed a hand on his arm. The presence in the room chose that moment to make his presence known.
"Harold, back up and give Mr. Gordon some room to breathe," Artie tried to rise when he recognized the voice.
"Sir?" he questioned as Harold gently pushed him back.
It's all right, Artemus, this insensitive clod is Harold Evans, otherwise known as my personal physician. Harold, back up a bit, you can finish your examination once he's had a chance to properly wake up."
"All right, sir, sorry if I scared you, Mr. Gordon, but that shot I gave you should have put you out until we reached Fredericksburg."
"Dr. Evans hasn't heard of you has he, Artie?" Jim teased.
"No, James, it is apparent he is not allowed such privileged information from the Service, "Artie replied with a grin, "Someone really should have filled him in," Dr. Evans looked from Jim to Artemus.
"Sir, are these the two you were telling me about," he asked the President.
"They sure are. You really have to keep your eyes on them. Separately they're a handful. Together they're downright impossible to handle," Grant chuckled.
"Did you hear that, James? Now we're impossible!" Artie grinned.
"Yep, pal I sure did, we're moving up in the world," Jim laughed.
"Boys, please, go easy on him. I run off enough doctor's without any outside help," Grant laughed.
"Yes, sir," came the giggled reply.
"I know one way to shut one of you up," Evans, said, hands on his hips."
"Oh come on, doc," Artie pleaded, "I've been poked, prodded and manhandled so much lately I'm beginning to think I'm a pin cushion. Can't it wait till Fredericksburg?"
"I'm afraid not, Mr. Gordon. While you were asleep I got a peek at those ribs and that leg. And I must say I am not happy with what I saw."
"I'm sorry, Artie, I did the best I could," Jim said dejectedly, "I only wanted to help."
"Mr. West, you did help. What you did saved his life without a doubt. Had you not done what you did then this very well could have been a funeral train."
"But you said you might have to operate again…" Jim interjected.
"What's this? Another operation?" Artie groaned.
"Mr. Gordon, I know you've been through a lot already and I hate to subject your body to any more abuse but I believe one of your ribs is not healing properly and I may have to go back in and fix it. I'm terribly sorry," Artie stared at him then looked to Jim.
"All right, let's get this over with as soon as you can then," he sighed.
"Mr. West, is he all right? That is not the Artemus Gordon I know," Grant asked.
"Yes, sir, he is. We came to an understanding when Artie tried to get out of bed by himself. He will be a model patient and I won't tell anyone he was," Jim grinned.
"Oh sure make jokes at my expense," Artie complained, "I'm lying here in pain and you're making jokes, Jim," Artie shot him a look and Jim returned a crooked smile.
"Artemus is right, doctor, is there anything you can do for him?" Grant asked.
"Other than the operation and about a month or two in a hospital, not really. I have some pain medication I can give him but not just yet. I want him awake during the examination, it will be easier for me to tell what's going on that way," he began to remove the shoulder bandage.
"Oh nice, a pro is here to poke, prod and manipulate me and he's evil enough to want me awake for it. James, I take back all those bad things I said and even thought about you the other day," Artie's eyes pleaded with him.
"I know, pal, and I'd do this for you if I could but this is something only you can do."
"That's not entirely true, Mr. West. I will need some help for the examination as well as the operation, if what I suspect is true. And I'll not ask the president of the United States to assist me, he'd probably just try and tell me how to operate," Evans rolled his eyes and they laughed at the harrumph from behind him.
"Anything I can do, I'll be happy to do. At least this time it won't be me digging around in there," Jim said quietly.
"And this time will be a lot easier on both of you. I brought enough ether to keep even the President sedated for a month," Evans looked at Artie with a smile.
"Oh thank God for that!" Artie said, "If I had to go through that again I'd just have one of you put me out of my misery right now."
"Be careful what you wish for, pal," Jim smirked, "I just might give it to you."
"You threaten me in front of witnesses, James, tsk tsk tsk you're slipping."
"It's been a long week, Artie," he quipped.
"I hate to interrupt whatever it is you two have going here, but I do need to get this examination done as soon as possible. Mr. President, I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave."
"I'll be in the main car when you are finished. You can give me your report there," he replied as he rose and left giving Artemus a last, apologetic look.
"All right, Mr. Gordon, this is going to hurt a bit but just make it through this and then I can see about administering a sedative," Dr. Evans removed the bandage from Artie's shoulder and he placed his hand over the wound. He allowed himself a small smile.
"This wound seems to be healing nicely," he said, "although it has a long way to go. I feel a bit of damage to the muscle tissues here," he paused when Artie groaned.
"Well, doc, I feel a LOT of pain right there at the moment," Artie growled.
"I know and I'm sorry but it can't be helped. I need to see how much damage there is and if any of it needs to be repaired surgically."
"Yeah, I know, doc, just griping about it helps. It gives me something to focus on," Artie wheezed, which didn't get past Evans.
"I understand and this next wound looks to be the nastiest so why don't we leave the chest wound for last?" He removed the bandages from Artie's side wound and examined both wounds.
"Very nice job you've done on this one, Mr. West. You sewed it up so professionally I doubt it will even leave much of a scar."
"That's good, I'm sure I left him plenty of other scars to impress the ladies," Jim replied as he watched the doctor manipulate the area around the wound.
Artie nearly rose off the bed when the doctor's hand pushed near the top of his side wound, coming in contact with Artie's ribs. Jim tightened his grip on his friend. Dr. Evans waited until Jim nodded to continue. He felt around both the entrance and exit wounds and Artie was extremely pleased when he announced the wound required no further attention other than an occasional dressing change. Artie cringed when Evans reached for his leg. Jim instinctively tightened his grip as he noted the beads of sweat breaking out on his partner's forehead.
Their eyes locked, and Jim could see the enormous pain written there. He nodded his head to let his friend know he sympathized and Artie nodded back. Evans pushed on the sides of the wounds and a small amount of puss oozed out. Jim wiped it with a clean cloth and Evans continued. He gently but firmly pushed his fingers around the wound area. Then he straightened up and looked at Artemus.
"All right, Mr. Gordon, you've done great up to now. Now I have to tackle those ribs. Mr. West, you are going to have the hardest job. You have to keep Mr. Gordon here very still. One wrong move here and he could shove a rib right through his lung," Jim nodded his reply, not trusting his voice.
"Mr. Gordon, as hard as this will be I need you to remain as calm as possible."
"Yeah, okay, I'll try," he replied breathlessly.
"Scream, yell, or you can even cry if you have to just don't move." Artie nodded.
Evans again placed his hand on the incision in Artie's chest. He gritted his teeth and steeled himself against the pain he knew was coming. Evans pushed harder, trying to locate and isolate the rib that had punctured his lung. Sweat was pouring off Artie and his left hand clutched the edge of his bed so hard his knuckles had turned white. Evans pressed on, knowing he had to complete this part of the exam quickly, before Artemus lapsed into unconsciousness.
He finally isolated the offending rib and discovered what he had feared. The rib had not set correctly and appeared to be pushing against his lung, preventing him from taking anything more than the shallow, quick breaths he had been taking. Evans glanced up at Artie, noting that almost all color had drained from his face. He gently probed and tried to pull back on the bone to see if this could be fixed without more surgery.
Artie's earth-shattering scream as his body tensed, went through Jim like a knife and he held onto his friend as tightly as he dared, trying to hold him steady and will some of his energy to him. Jim's muscles knotted with the effort, but he maintained his hold. Evans quickly finished his examination, wiped his instruments and sat in the chair by the bed. He motioned to Jim that it was all right to release his hold but Jim found he couldn't. He felt a strong need to maintain his grip on his partner and let him know he was there for him.