Stubborn. He was flat out stubborn, and although it had softened over the years, or perhaps lessened to more reason, he was still hot headedly stubborn and was going to be until the day he died. It was a Sherman thing and nothing was going to change that. Jess wouldn't have wanted it to change either, except when it came to the times Slim was going to get himself killed.

Harper had come out of his sleep earlier the next day, and as he had managed to come awake silently he was able to sit, observing the day for a bit. It was mostly Slim he observed. The patch he had over his head wound was crimson with blood, and Jess could have been wrong, but it looked like the blood was new, and not several days old. It was a stark contrast to the pale face, and even though Slim was asleep, in the rocker by the fire, he looked completely exhausted.

With a sigh Harper moved and couldn't stop the groan that pushed passed his lips and rolled around the room. That had hurt like…

Slim moaned and quickly Jess forgot his troubles, eyes shooting to his partner. He hadn't meant too wake him.

Sherman rolled a hand over his eyes and seconds later he was blinking slowly trying to bring them to focus. It disturbed Jess how long it took Slim to get his eyes to focus and bring them around to him.

"Hey, pard…" Jess whispered softly.

"Jess…" Slim stood slowly, his movements pained and came to Jess slipping a hand on his head. "You still have that fever." He frowned.

Jess shrugged. "I'm fine…"

That awarded him a look that Jess couldn't bring himself to stare down, which of course irritated him for it proved Slim's point that much more.

Slim moved about the cabin and Jess' eyes slipped closed. He couldn't get up even if he had wanted to and he didn't really want to try with Slim hovering about.

There was a lot of clatter as Slim moved a bunch of plates around but at last he stopped coming back to Jess and attempted to give him something to eat. It didn't go very far and in the end Slim gave up. He went outside for a long bit and that was when Jess tried to move again. He got nowhere and nothing for the great pain it caused him.

"Jess Harper!" Slim snapped his hands sliding over his partner steading him into the bed again.

Jess groaned, Slim sighed.

"I don't fancy taking you down like this, but I don't want to get snowed in. It looks like it's fixing to snow though so if we don't leave now…" Slim had said it all like a question, but there really wasn't one. They were heading back that day.

When Harper offered no comment, nothing really more than a nod of agreement, Slim moved and scooped him up. That got Jess to protesting but there was no hesitation and no stopping Slim. Out to the barn they went and Slim put Jess up on Traveler grabbing the reigns. Alamo was behind and there were getting ready to set off.

"Wait…" Jess moaned hanging onto the saddle with all he had. "Over in the straw, Tilbit said to take it…" He slipped Slim the key and for a second Slim stood staring at Jess. "Please," Harper whispered.

Slim wiggled his jaw and with one last look at the very determined Jess, Slim moved to the location indicated, pushing around in the straw. It took a bit of digging but he finally kicked upon a heavy tin box that he slowly dusted off. It was old and used with the green paint mostly gone. "Jefferson Tilbit" was molded into the lid, and Slim slipped in the key, flipping it open.

Gold, it was full of gold coins and by the weight and size Slim judged there had to be close to five hundred dollars. For a moment he sat astounded, then pulled it over to Jess at his inquiry. They both shared a look before the treasure was slipped into a bag and Slim finally set out.

It was sunny, but with a bitter wind, and Slim tucked his head, bowing into the wind. Leaving the cabin and small barn all to itself high up on the mountain.

….

Mort looked at the very last camp site he could find and sighed. Rising from his hunches he played with his horse's reins a moment before turning and mounting. He hated going back down the hill empty handed but… There was nothing that he could find from that point on. Blood in the snow had caused him to press further into his digging but nothing could be found to lead him to Slim or Jess.

It confused him that they had traveled deeper into the hills and didn't return down. Only heightening his desire to find them, knowing they had to be in trouble. But getting himself stuck up in the hills would help no one. So as he descended, with great regret, he prayed that they were safe.

The wind was staring to pick up and Mort pulled his coat slightly tighter about himself. The sound of a horse whinnying caught his attention and sharply his head turned. Through the blowing snow and late sun he saw nothing. Pulling his coat once more closer he turned to start off again.

The horse whinnied and his own mount pricked its ears starting a soft reply. Mort turned and that time he sat and looked for a few moments.

From the curling wisps of silver snow, a man appeared. Head ducked and leading a horse he stumbled and fell getting up again with trouble and going on. In the saddle a man swayed dangerously to both sides head flopping all about. It didn't take Mort a second thought. He turned his horse around and spurred him around just as Slim faltered and fell.

"Of all the…" Mort dropped to him collecting him in his arms and Slim protested and groaned softly. Only slightly conscious. Mort chided him softly but soundly as his eyes slid to Jess. His face sunk as his words once more echoed with a much deeper edge to them that time:

"Of all the…"

…

Standing on the porch, Daisy held a pail in one hand, staring off in the direction Mort had taken. She was lost in gloomy thoughts, as she was every morning lately, and couldn't help but linger. Looking off for her boys she couldn't stop the troubling, sickening worry that filled her continuously.

She sighed at the sound of Mike coming from the barn and turned for the house. The latch fell into her hand and she entered shivering at the chill and loving the warmth. Going to the kitchen, she took her pail of milk setting it on the table and turned to breakfast.

"Daisy!" Mike hollered. "Daisy! Daisy!" He burst through the door and tugged at her hand as she turned to him frowning with concern.

"Why Mike, what is it…?"

Her voice trailed off as she looked to where Mike was pointing out the open door, and hardly heard his answer.

"Look! It's Slim and Jess…! Mort, he found them!"

Daisy's face flooded with joy and tears as she hugged Mike close seconds before he could bolt away and run to the incoming horses.

So it was. Her boys, back from their adventure. They both looked banged up from where she stood, and the smile slipped away to a frown as she grabbed her heavy wool shawl and ran out to meet them. But the joy at their return never left her eyes.