It's All Relative
Chapter 4
Johnny reined in Blue and slid to the ground. He did a quick visual survey of the scene before him. The coach was lying on its side. The tongue had broken off just before the axle. The team had run off a short way and was standing nervously tangled in the harness.
There were three bodies off to the side that he assumed were the bandits. It looked like they didn't make it. One of the injured guards was sitting up against a boulder pressing a wadded up, blood soaked bandana against his shoulder. The other was on the ground with a friend applying pressure to a leg wound. The driver, Sam, was lying on his side with his arm bent under him at an unnatural angle. Slim was lying face down and was beginning to stir. Jess was on his back with the top edge of the coach resting on his chest. He could see that Jess was conscious but was having trouble breathing.
"Mort," Jess called grabbing the grain sack from his saddle, "take this!" There's cotton pads and rolled bandages. Get pressure on those bullet wounds. If it bleeds through add another pad. When the bleeding slows wrap a bandage around it – tight."
Mort gave Johnny a speculative look then grabbed the bag. "George," he called to one of the men who had ridden out from town, "give me a hand." He hurried off to do what Johnny had asked.
Johnny grabbed the doctor's bag and checked for pulses on the three bandits; not surprised when he found none. He then hurried over to the driver and Slim. He checked for a pulse on Sam and was relieved to find a fairly strong one. He carefully checked him over for back or neck injuries and finding none, slowly rolled him over. He took the stethoscope from the bag and listened to his lungs. Things sounded good. There was a knot above his right ear and his right arm was definitely broken. He was still unconscious.
He moved to Slim who was trying to get up.
"Easy, Slim. Lay still till I check you out," Johnny spoke softly.
Slim did as Johnny asked. Johnny did a quick check and surprised to find no broken bones, gently rolled Slim onto his back. He had a good sized knot and gash on his head at the hairline and blood was running down the side of his face. Johnny pulled his penlight from his pocket and checked Slims eyes. They were sluggish but reacted equally.
"Slim, you're gonna be OK. I need for you to just lie still for me right now. I need to see about Jess and you need to stay here. Don't move."
"Where's Jess?" Slim asked, his concern evident in his voice even through the pain.
"Right now he's stuck under the stage. We've got some manpower here and we're gonna get him out, but I need for you to stay right here. He's gonna be OK but I need to see to him. Do you understand?"
Slim tried to lift his head but the pain was excruciating. He lowered his head back to the ground with a groan. "Not movin', Johnny," he agreed.
Johnny gave him a pat on his shoulder and jogged over to the stage. Jess was conscious but Johnny could tell he was in a good deal of pain and was struggling to breath.
Resting his hand on Jess' forehead to get his attention, Johnny looked into his eyes.
"Jess… Jess. We're gonna get you out of here real quick. Just take it easy. Can you tell me where you hurt besides you chest?"
"M-my head,… my… my hip, 'n ribs," he stammered finding it hard to get enough air to speak.
"Can you feel your legs?"
Jess thought for a moment then answered, "Yes-s." The word ended as a hiss of pain.
Johnny patted Jess on his shoulder in comfort and turned to find 4 of the men from town ready to lift the stage.
"I need something to use as a backboard… Mort, I need one of the wagon tailgates. Quick."
Mort and another man quickly unchained the tailgate and brought it to Johnny. They weren't quite sure how he was going to use it.
Johnny positioned the board behind Jess and stood up.
"OK, now," he started, looking at the men. "I want you to lift the stage and hold it up while I pull Jess out from under it and onto this board. Are you ready?" The men nodded. Johnny bent down and created handles to pull with by bunching up Jess' shirt and vest along his shoulders.
"Jess, don't do anything. Let me do all the work, OK."
Jess just nodded. Johnny looked at the men at the stage and gave them the go-ahead to lift.
The men strained to lift the stage. When Jess was clear Johnny quickly but carefully pulled him onto the board. Jess cried out in pain and promptly passed out. He had some men help him carry Jess over beside Slim. Johnny secured Jess to the board using some bandages. He knew the ride back to town was going to be difficult so wanted to keep him as immobile as possible.
Johnny assessed Jess more thoroughly finding a good sized knot on the back of his head and his pupil reaction was sluggish. He had several cracked ribs, but his breathing sounded normal now that the weight was off his chest. Johnny wasn't positive but it looked as if Jess' hip was not broken. There didn't seem to be any indications of internal bleeding. Johnny was surprised that Jess wasn't injured more seriously. His gaze drifted back to the stage and he suddenly realized just how lucky Jess was. True the stage had fallen on top of him, but he had been positioned such that he ended up in the door of the stage. The ground was very sandy – probably six or more inches deep which cushioned him. No doubt about it. Jess was a very lucky man! Johnny turned and found Slim staring at him.
Johnny gave the man a reassuring smile. "He's going to be fine, Slim. Now, let's take care of you."
Johnny bandaged Slim's head and again checked his eyes. 'Still sluggish – probably a concussion.'
"Slim, you're gonna be fine, too. You're gonna need some stitches in that cut on your head and you'll have a pretty good headache."
"Already got that headache," Slim replied with a smile. He looked over at Jess and then back at Johnny. "Thanks, Johnny," he spoke with sincerity.
"Just doin' my job." Johnny finished bandaging his head then rose to check on the others.
Mort had done a good job of stopping the bleeding on his two injured guards. The one with a shoulder wound was a through and through. The other guard still had the bullet in his leg, but from the amount of bleeding the artery did not seem to be compromised. As a precaution, Johnny splinted the leg to keep him from moving it accidentally and causing more damage.
Johnny then returned to Sam who had not regained consciousness and splinted his arm. He was pretty sure he had a serious concussion but did not show any symptoms of a skull fracture.
After finishing his ministrations on Sam, Johnny slowly rose to his feet and surveyed the scene again. The three dead bandits were being loaded into one wagon to be taken to the undertaker's. Mort and others were helping the two injured guards get comfortable in another wagon. Sam was carefully carried over to the same wagon and made as comfortable as possible on some blankets.
Johnny then supervised the loading of Jess and Slim into the third wagon and climbed in with them. Someone tied Blue to the back of the wagon. The harnesses were removed from the stage horses and placed in the fourth wagon along with the strong box. Riders would lead the team back to town. Pete, the one uninjured guard would make sure the strong box was safely delivered to the bank. When everyone was settled they started the slow careful journey back to Laramie.
Jess and Slim were unconscious for most of the trip rousing only when the group finally made the turn onto the main street of Laramie. There were plenty of helping hands waiting at the doctor's office to aid in getting the injured inside. Johnny supervised the unloading and the settling of all the victims into beds. He went from man to man checking vitals the best he could and rechecking their wounds, readjusting bandages where necessary and giving encouraging words to all – even those still unconscious.. All seemed to be holding their own. Johnny turned from checking Jess to find Mort standing and watching him with interest.
"Mort, it's time for you to let me look at your arm." Johnny noticed the familiar pain lines etched around Mort's eyes.
"I'm fine, Johnny."
"Uh-huh…" sarcastically agreed. I've tried to use that line myself and believe you me it doesn't work. Now sit! I can tell you're hurtin' so let me see what I can do."
Johnny led Mort by his good arm to sit in a chair. He carefully removed the blood soaked bandana and taking his scissors cut Mort's shirt sleeve away from the wound. The bullet had left a deep furrow in his arm that Johnny thought should be stitched closed. For right now all he could do was clean it and re-bandage it hoping that Doc would return soon. Johnny then proceeded to clean and re-bandage the other bullet wounds as well as Slim's head wound
E!E!E!E!E!
Doc was whistling happily to himself as he drove his buggy into town. Mr. and Mrs. Harris were the proud parents of twin boys! Mother and babies were all doing fine. As he headed down the main street he couldn't help but notice the two wagons still in front of his office. Urging his horse to a faster trot he quickly pulled up along side the two wagons. Hopping from the buggy he hurried through the crowd standing on the boardwalk and went inside.
"Johnny, what's …"
"Doc," Johnny interrupted, "am I glad to see you!" He grabbed Doc by the arm and dragged him over the beds. Pointing to each one of the men in turn he ran down their injuries.
"Hank and Joe here have gun shot wounds – Hank has a through and through in his upper left shoulder; may have cracked the collar bone. Joe still has the bullet in his thigh. I immobilized his leg to prevent any further damage by the bullet. Sam has a serious concussion and a broken arm. He has yet to regain consciousness. Slim has a concussion and a pretty good sized gash on his head needing stitches. He's been mostly conscious and coherent. Jess was trapped under the coach. He has some cracked ribs but his lungs sound good. He's been in and out of consciousness but is aware of his surroundings when awake; another probable concussion. He's complaining of hip pain; don't think it's broken. You'll need to check it further. Mort has a deep bullet crease in his arm that needs stitches – even if he tells you otherwise." Johnny paused for a breath.
Doc looked from Johnny to the victims and back to Johnny; amazed at the thoroughness of his report and that he seemed to give it all in one breath! He glanced at Mort and had to smile at the look on his face in response to Johnny final comment. Doc couldn't help but chuckle. He did a quick check of Mort's arm and slowly nodded his head.
"Johnny's right, Mort. This does need stitching. Now you just sit down and be patient. I'll tend to it as soon as I've taken care of these others. Johnny, would you assist me?"
"Be glad to, Doc."
Mort tried to glare at Johnny but there was a twinkle in his eyes as he returned to the chair. Johnny had a 'told you so' look and a grin on his face.
Over the next couple of hours, Doc and Johnny treated all the victims and had them resting comfortably. After having his arm stitched, Mort recounted what had happened.
"Those yahoos came after us just as we were coming down that slight grade before the sharp turn to the river crossing. We were goin' too fast for that turn and Sam was struggling with the team. The wheels hit the ruts in the road crosswise and it snapped the tongue of the stage and broke the front wheel. The horses took off and the stage tipped over. Slim had been ridin' shotgun and he and Sam were thrown from the seat. Jess had been inside and was leanin' out the door shooting at the bandits. When it tipped he was trapped. Hank, Joe, Pete and I were on horseback and dismounted to protect the others. We got all three of them." Mort slouched back in his chair, tired and feeling some pain.
"All I can say," Doc began with a shake of his head, "is you're all pretty lucky; on two counts. First that no one was more seriously injured or killed in that accident, and second, that Johnny was here and knew what to do to help." They all sat in silence contemplating what Doc had said.
Doc noticed the strain on Mort's face as he fought against the pain and tiredness. "Mort, I'm going to give you something that will help you sleep. I want you to go home and go to bed."
Mort didn't argue. "OK, Doc." Slowly rising to his feet his gaze turned to the men resting in the beds. "Are they really gonna be alright?"
"There going to be fine, Mort. Don't worry."
With a sigh he turned to face Johnny. "Not sure I understand how you knew what all to do out there, but I'm pretty sure you saved some lives today with you fast thinkin' and actions." He held out his hand to shake Johnny's. "Sayin' 'Thanks' just doesn't seem to be enough."
Johnny shook his hand and smiled. "Just doin' my job, Mort."
After supper that night Johnny and Doc spent several hours talking. Johnny tried to explain as best he could about himself and his current situation. Doc still couldn't quite grasp all that Johnny was telling him. It all seemed totally impossible to him, yet, if he was honest with himself, he would admit to a peculiar sense of family whenever he and Johnny talked or worked together. After checking their patients one last time they both went to bed but not to sleep. They both had too many questions swirling around in their brains. Johnny got up once during the night to check on everyone and then sat a Doc's desk and wrote a note to Doc. Carefully he put the note and an object in an envelope and tucked it into the bottom of Doc's black bag.
E!E!E!E!E!
Several days later found all of the patients impatient to be out of bed. Hank and Joe were the first to be sent to their homes to continue to recuperate. Daisy had been in to visit several times, fussin' and frettin over 'her boys' like a mother hen over her chicks. She always stayed to help out Doc and Johnny and Johnny always regaled Mike with another story. Sam would be staying for awhile till his headaches and dizzy spells cleared up. Jess and Slim were anxious to get back to the ranch even though both of them would have to take it easy for a spell. Jess walked with a slight limp due to the deep bruising along his lower back and hip and had to be careful of his ribs. Slim's headaches has all but disappeared and he would have his stitches removed the next week.
Jess and Slim were saying their good-byes to Doc and Johnny when the eastern stage pulled into town. Doc looked up to see Dr. Peters step down from the coach.
"Jim!" He shouted as he waived his arm in greeting. He hurried over to greet his friend and colleague.
"Welcome back! It's sure good to see you again. How was your time in St. Louis?"
"St. Louis was wonderful, JR. It was good to be able to study some of the new techniques and learn about the advances being made in medicine. But, I'm glad to be back in Laramie. I missed the challenges of frontier medicine. How about you, did you enjoy your time here?
"Jim, it been a great experience – not without its challenges and intrigue though."
Jim Peters gave his friend a quizzical look.
Doc just laughed. "I'll tell you all about it later. Right now let me introduce you to someone.
Jim Peters, I'd like you to meet Johnny. He's from Los Angles. Johnny, Jim Peters, my good friend and fellow practitioner of the healing arts."
"It good to finally meet you Dr. Peters," Johnny greeted him with a smile and a firm handshake. Doc's been telling me all about you."
"Well, I hope not all," he laughed. The others joined in the camaraderie of the moment.
After welcomes were voiced, Jess and Slim climbed into the wagon Daisy had driven in to town. Johnny mounted Blue and accompanied them back to the ranch to help out with some of the chores for awhile. Mike was almost bouncing off the seat in anticipation of hearing more stories from Johnny. Saying their good-byes they headed for home.
E!E!E!E!E!
Jess, Slim, and Johnny rode into Laramie the next week to have the stitches remove from Slim's head wound. Doc greeted them with a huge smile.
"OK, what's got you all happy," Slim asked with a smile spreading across his own face.
"I'm leaving in three day for California! Got a telegram from Amanda and the wedding's set for next month."
Johnny, Jess, and Slim all gathered around and gave their congratulations to Doc. They were happy for him but sad to see him leave. Dr. Peters invited them all to come to a celebration/farewell dinner the night before Doc was to leave. Daisy and Mike were invited, too, along with Mort and others that had gotten to know Doc Gage well over the past six months.
The dinner was a huge success. Everyone had a wonderful time. It was late when the celebration ended so Jess, Slim, Daisy, and Mike stayed at the hotel. The next day everyone gathered to bid farewell to their friend and colleague. Doc insisted on having some pictures taken to add to his collection. Jim said that he'd make sure they got mailed to him as soon as they were ready.
They gathered on the steps of the schoolhouse for the pictures. Doc had one taken with just him and Dr. Peters. Then he had one with Jess, Slim and Mort. He wanted another of himself with Jess, Slim, Mort, Daisy and Mike. Finally he called Johnny over.
"Johnny, come on. I want you in one picture, too. I've had a great time getting to know you and am proud to call you my friend. I don't know whether I believe or understand all you've been trying to tell me about yourself and me, but I'm sure your family is proud of you, son." He emphasized that last word as he put his arm around Johnny's shoulder and gave him a fatherly hug.
They all gathered on the steps and the photographer prepared to take yet another picture. Everyone held very still. The photographer put his head under the black cloth to look through his camera and held up the flash pan.
"OK everyone, hold still," he call out as he straightened up. He pressed the bulb which ignited the flash powder and activated the shutter of the camera.
The flash was brighter that Johnny imagined and he squeezed his eyes shut from the brightness and the sudden pain it brought to his head. He involuntarily tried to turn his head away from the light but found he couldn't move it.
"Take it easy, Johnny," a voice that he thought he should recognize told him. "Sorry, if the light hurt your eyes. Just lie still. I'm almost done."
When the light was gone Johnny slowly opened his eyes. Things slowly came into focus and he realized he was at Rampart hospital. Standing over him with a look of concern was Dr. Brackett.
"Je…," he began but stopped himself in time. "Doc..., what happened?"
Author's Notes: I know, I know. I'm leaving you hanging again! Sorry. (NOT!) :D Will be trying to finish this story by the end of the week - before RL catches up to me. Thanks for all the encouraging reviews and story alerts. They are what keep me writing!
I actually witnessed a stagecoach accident similar to the one in this story. It was at a western themed camp in Maryland back in the early '70s. The driver, a real cowboy in his 70s, was stuck under the coach like Jess was and came away with only a couple broken ribs. One camper had a broken arm. That was the extent of the injuries. The most amazing thing about the accident was that the young man riding shotgun actually lifted the coach by himself so another worker could free the driver! Later he went back to try and lift it again and he couldn't even budge it!