"All The Way"
Chapter 9
The wilds of Utah.
The next few days brought a flurry of activity to the canyon. The university had seen fit after the Korean War to purchase army surplus materials from their M.A.S.H. units. The materials were perfect for constructing temporary facilities for their remote digs. The university support staff busily erected tents, connected generators, and assembled a mess tent. A meandering path was worn as trucks and trailers fought their way over rocks and uneven terrain to set up base camp between the canyon walls and the meandering stream.
Herbert Osmund and Eliot Stokes moved around the site answering questions and inspecting the progress. Herb spread the map of the general layout across a table in the now erected mess hall and assembly room. In a few hours they would have a general meeting and start the process of meticulously documenting and analyzing every detail of the Anasazi village. Professors and graduate students from three universities were now on site and eagerly ready to begin the process.
As the last of the trucks lumbered off, the small support staff began the job of preparing the first of many meals for the hungry researchers. Herb carefully placed the map of the village on the movable bulletin board and waited as the group assembled. Osmund smiled as he saw Bridget Marlin his graduate student enter the tent followed by Hallie Stokes. They would be cataloging the Anasazi pottery.
Following them, Dr. Denis Summerlin, from the University of Utah and his graduate students Lance Doole and Patrick Fahey, would be correlating the growth rings from the wooden ladders found in this site with the growth rings from other known Anasazi villages in the hopes of constructing a climate map.
The last research group, Dr. Eric Turpening, paleobotanist, from the University of Arizona and his graduate students Martin Livingstone and Patricia Ferris would be working on the corn studies. They were still working on the lineage of the modern corn plant.
Eliot Stokes eased in through the opening and took a seat in the back. Herbert smiled as he saw his friend take a seat and scanned the crowd mentally taking attendance. Stokes would serve as the site photographer. It would be his job to document all the work taking place on the site and to photograph all artifacts in situ and on display. Eliot's photography would tie the site together. He would be moving over the site and would develop film in the photography tent. Herbert called the meeting to order. For the rest of the afternoon the plan for the site was discussed, argued and documented. As fatigue, heat and hunger set in he saw the need to draw the meeting to a close. He did have one more announcement to make to the group.
"I just wanted to inform you that in a few days Dr. Richard Carter and his staff will be joining us."
Eliot's eyes widened and his jaw dropped and felt as though he had been punched in the chest. He quickly stepped outside the tent to catch his breath.
The group noisily whispered among themselves. A male voice from the crowd called out.
"When did you say King Richard would bless us with his presence?"
Herb cleared his voice and announced loudly, "Here, here, now, if it were not for Dr. Carter we would not be able to proceed with the research at this site. Remember we are professionals. He will be here in a few days. Now let's get settled, darkness is approaching."
The crowd stood and streamed outside moving to their respective areas. Herb remained in the tent staring at the site map when Eliot grabbed Osmund by the arm and pulled him to a secluded corner.
"What the hell are you doing Herb? Why didn't you tell me about Carter?"
Herb's face was expressionless. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Eliot leaned in, eyes tense, "You know damn well what I'm talking about. You deliberately omitted this very important bit of information. You knew I wouldn't come if I knew Carter would be here."
Herb tried to move away and make light of the situation. "You and Carter, that was a long time ago. Professional differences are bound to pop up from time to time. I assumed your tiff was over."
"How could you Herb, you're my friend," Eliot's voice was full of emotion. Herb would never understand his 'tiff' with Carter would never be over.
Osmund looked at the map, then at his friend. "I wanted you here Eliot, for me, I wanted to work with you again. I was worried that if you knew Carter would be here you wouldn't come. It's been a long time since I've seen you. I just hoped we could pick up where we left off. I guess I'm just trying to recapture our Harvard days."
Eliot shook his head in astonishment, "Damn!"
His friend shoved his hands in his pockets, "I'm sorry Eliot. I just thought your professional dispute with Carter was over, I had no idea."
Of all the times and places for Herbert Osmund to grow sentimental. Eliot looked at his friend and realized he could not stay angry with him.
Eliot gave a gesture of finality with his hands. "I'll be civil and nothing more."
Osmund nodded in agreement and watched his friend leave the tent.
~~~tbc~~~