Chapter 13
The days melted into weeks. Jeremy was going on his 6th week at the Salish Camp, and everyone was getting a bit antsy about the situation. Even with Josh swapping off with Jason, all the Seattle people realized that they must return to their town and requisite jobs - and the sooner, the better.
Candy especially was in a quandary. She knew she had to oversee Molly's and Christopher's schoolwork, and she did miss the other brides in the dormitory, as well as share the chores.
Candy decided to talk to the doctors and Jeremy about it.
She entered the medical tent. Jeremy was just rousing to awareness after the previous ether administration. It seemed like each time he went under the anesthetic, the longer it took for him to rally out of it. Sometimes it could take as long as an hour to become fully conscious.
"Hello, Dr. Wright. Hello, Running Fox," Candy greeted in a soft voice.
"Well, hello there!" chimed in Dr. Wright, and Running Fox turned her head to smile at Candy. Jeremy was awake but only smiled at Candy.
"May I find out some details about Jeremy's progress and prognosis at this point in time?"
She hesitated in case it was not good news. She was hoping Jeremy could go home. If it was going to be a long recovery, it might be better spent at home.
Allyn and Running Fox gave each other a knowing look before putting up their operating instruments.
Allyn began the conversation. "I know you've been wondering when Jeremy can finally go back home to finish his healing and work on getting full use of his foot again."
"Yes, yes I have," added Candy.
Both Allyn and Running Fox turned to face her. Allyn remarked,
"We have been discussing the exact same thing. We believe that Jeremy has responded well to the surgeries, and he is now strong enough to make the trip back to Seattle. I also know that all of us have certain things we need to do back home that are piling up. Even Running Fox would like to return to taking care of her people as well."
Anika had put a bolster behind Jeremy so he could sit up straighter while he listened to the ladies. He kept his eyes closed, but looked like he was digesting all the information bantered about.
"Well, then, Jeremy, It's probably up to you."
Jeremy opened his eyes and asked, "What? Why me?"
"Because you are the one who has to endure the long ride back to your camp," said Running Fox.
Jeremy took a deep breath, then held out his hand so Candy could take it. She clasped it tightly.
Jeremy looked into her eyes and asked, "Are you ready for me to finish recuperating at home? I can be a very 'impatient patient,' you know."
"Oh, yes, I know that! And I am more than ready for you to come home. I think we all want to return to our homes and get back to our normal, everyday tasks. You will be one of my Big 'tasks,' " she grinned.
"I'll try not to annoy you too much," Jeremy answered. "Besides, Dr. Wright will have control of the ether, so you can request that she use it when you really need some peace and quiet."
"All right, then," said Dr, Wright, chuckling. "This is the moment of truth. We have to check your ankle's flexibility to make sure all of the 'operated' portions are finished. Are you ready for some painful maneuvers?"
"Aw, well, when you put it like that,…" He sat up, ready to begin.
Running Fox lifted his left leg gently. "You will let me know when there is too much pain. I am now testing how far your foot can move in different directions."
She then proceeded to gently move the ankle up, down, left, right, and at different angles. She would see Jeremy wince at each movement, but he did not cry out in pain at any of the motions.
She then compared the range of motion in the right leg as well. Jeremy noticed the huge difference.
"What you will be working on is to have as little pain in the left ankle as you currently have in the right ankle. The most important thing to remember is to always have someone with you so you do not fall. Never attempt any of these exercises alone. Do you understand me, Fair Eyes?"
"Yes, I understand you," replied Jeremy.
Dr. Wright then chimed in, "Now we will see how much, if any, weight you can put on your foot at this point."
She and Running Fox each took one of Jeremy's arms and rotated him over and up out of the bed. He stood there, finding himself very dizzy. He wobbled and put his entire weight on the women.
"This is very important to observe and remember, Fair Eyes. When you are dizzy, your body is telling you to 'Stop,' and you must listen."
"Wait - don't put me back down just yet!" Jeremy implored. "I want to see how long I can just stand here, assisted or not."
The doctors nodded while Jeremy seemed to be ticking off the seconds in his mind, After about 20 seconds, he declared, "I think that's enough for now, Doctor." They immediately set him back down in a seated position.
After a prolonged, loud sigh, Jeremy said "Well, I can tell that this IS going to be one lonnggg recovery period. Whew!"
"Let us finish the day here in my camp, and we will bring you back to your camp tomorrow at first light. " Running Fox stated.
Chapter 14
Everyone seemed to have slept fairly well at the Salish camp. The Seattle folks were getting excited about going home - all except Jeremy. Running Fox came into his tent to see how he slept. He was already awake and looking at her with sadness in his eyes.
"Why, Fair Eyes, why are you unhappy this morning?"
Well…." started Jeremy. He looked straight at Running Fox when he said," I know that I owe you (and Dr. Wright) my life again, and if I keep getting hurt and need your help, well, I'll never in a million years be able to repay you! Running Fox, you are an incredible Doctor from any Tribe, including ours."
Running Fox blushed, then said softly, "It has been an honor and a pleasure treating you as my patient."
Jeremy again looked straight into the Medicine Woman's eyes. Running Fox thought he might bore two holes in her retinas, his look was so serious.
"Let me ask you one thing. Is it OK if I ask you something personal?
Running Fox hesitated before answering, "Yes, I… think so."
Jeremy took a deep breath and asked her, "Have you ever thought of going to medical school - in particular, a white man's medical school?"
Running Fox almost laughed, but she could tell that Jeremy asked a serious question of her, so she answered "Oh, Fair Eyes, that is a dream that will not likely come to pass. I must admit that I have once dreamed about doing so, but I expect that the admission charges - let alone the challenges for a female and a Native American Indian, would be too high in many respects."
"What would you say if someone was to sponsor you and pay for your tuition?"
"I would say that I was truly dreaming!"
"Well, uh…" Jeremy caught himself stuttering a bit, "I… I think you d-d-deserve that dream, and so m-m-much more. Dr. Wright was one of only two female students in her class, so she could help guide you through the hurdles that women must face, to survive and to graduate. I'm sure you would be at the head of your class, just like she was."
Running Fox became very quiet for a while. She finally told Jeremy, "You have given me much to think about, Fair Eyes. It is a very tempting offer, but I must think deeply about it. For now, I cannot imagine my absence for so long a time at my village, and I would also want my father's opinion, for it would be a very large change for my people; one that I am not sure would be best for them."
Jeremy and Running Fox looked at each other in silence for a long time. Finally, Jeremy smiled and took her hand.
"Take as long as you need to think about it. There's no hurry to run off to school, but we would like to see you graduate, maybe before you're 90 years old…!" He winked at her after that, and added. "Running Fox, you are going to make this world a much better place, and I know that your skills will be legendary. A White Man's Medical degree would only add to your legacy."
Running Fox blushed again - she thought, 'why am I blushing like a schoolgirl? I have known this white man as a friend for many moons now…' She smiled as she disengaged herself from his warm hand, and set about to pack up some things for the trip.
ssssssss
Many of the Salish people joined in helping get the wagon loaded for the trip. Anika came running up to them all and said breathlessly, "Here are some muffins for you. I just made them right now. They are warm still."
Everyone in the wagon exclaimed their gratitude for the yummy muffins, for Anika was becoming quite a good cook and baker. Running Fox had said it was because of her knowledge of chemistry, and how to measure and combine the ingredients carefully.
Jason was already there, thinking he was going to spend yet another day at the Salish camp, but he was all smiles as he helped Jeremy into the wagon, placing him on a soft bed of hay and bolstering him up with a pillow. Candy joined Jason in the front seat, and Dr. Wright rode Jason's horse back to Seattle.
Chapter 16
Back in Seattle, Aaron and Josh were approached by Ben Perkins racing frantically, waving a telegram.
"Look! This telegram just came in! It says some prisoner just broke out of the Olympia jail, and he might be headed this sway! There's also another guy with him!"
"Don't you think we are a little far from Olympia to be worrying about this?" asked Aaron.
Ben replied, "Well, if they were heading North and West, they would come right through Seattle!"
"Did the telegram mention any direction they would likely take?"
Ben replied, "Well, no, but where else could they go? Heading South or East would put them straight in the path of unfriendly Indian tribes and -"
"Now, Ben, we're not going to start worrying about something that might never happen, right?" Josh said to placate Ben.
Aaron added, "Yes, let's all just return home and watch for any further telegrams that tell us that they are already caught and jailed."
"Well….OK," said Ben, a little miffed. People in this town usually paid more attention to the telegrams he would receive. 'I hope they're right,' he thought to himself as he closed up his shop and went home.
ssssssss
The wagon arrived in Seattle just before dark. Josh heard it approach and came running from the cabin to greet them.
"Well, look who's finally back!" Josh greeted. "I guess the Salish tribe got good and sick of you!
"Ha, ha," said Jeremy, a bit dourly. He wished he could just jump down from the wagon, but he waited patiently as both of his brothers helped him down to the ground. He started wincing when he realized his foot was just about on the ground and he couldn't move.
Josh quickly stated, "We found a wheelchair to borrow for a while, but then I also made you these." He held out a pair of wooden crutches. "Maybe we can get Candy to sew some padding on the top so your arms don't hurt too much."
Jeremy examined the precision set. Josh had done a great job of making them appealing looking as well as practical. He put one crutch under his left armpit, then the other one under his right. He took a tentative step, being careful not to put any weight on his foot. He succeeded in taking three steps when he came upon some dips in the road. Thank goodness his brothers were there to catch him before he fell.
"Well, let's not overdo it too much this week," appeased Jason.
Jeremy shot him a sarcastic look, then let himself be guided home in the wheelchair.
The ladies followed them to their cabin. Dr. Wright examined the ankle one more time before pronouncing him 'ready for bed.' Then she walked back to her home.
The brothers left Candy outside on the porch with Jeremy while they went in and put a pot of coffee on the stove. Jeremy took Candy's hand and softly said, "Candy, I can't tell you what it's meant to me to see you almost every day at the Salish camp. I don't think I would have come this far along if I hadn't had your beautiful face to look at so often."
Candy smiled as she bent over to kiss him on the cheek. "It certainly is good to have you finally back home, Jeremy Bolt. I can't wait to start fussing over you!"
"Now, wait a minute," Jeremy cautioned. "I don't want you fussing over me. You've got plenty of things to do for yourself, Molly, and Christopher. I don't know how you can squeeze so much out of 24 hours. I don't want to make you need more time than a day can have."
Candy smiled and whispered "Oh, all right. We'll take one day at a time. How's that?" Jeremy smiled and gave her that crooked grin that she loved and replied, "That's perfect - and so are you!" He kissed her fingertips, then they held hands until she walked far enough away to break their clasp. She blew him another kiss as she parted, saying, "Good night, Jeremy. I love you." Jeremy replied, "I love you more!"
He watched her walk back to the dorm, then his brothers, sensing the quiet outside the cabin, opened the front door and ushered Jeremy inside.
Chapter 17
Dr. Wright told Jeremy that he absolutely must repeat all the rehab exercises every single day in order to be able to walk with a steady gait again. She provided much assistance the first few days, but told Jeremy, "I will assist you less and less as each day goes by. If you are not making progress, then I may have to bring you to a specialist in Olympia."
Jeremy's eyes grew wide as he asked "Are you saying all that just to scare me into doing my exercises regularly?"
"No, Jeremy, I did not mean to come across as a threatening teacher to a naughty boy. I know you and your brothers well now, so I do know you will be diligent in completing your 'homework' every day. It's just that there is a slight chance that the ankle will not set 100% properly, and I want us both to do everything we can to make sure that doesn't happen."
Jeremy looked at her with wide eyes and a bit of trepidation.
"So I should tell you regularly if my exercises go well or badly, or if certain ones are easier than others, right?"
"You've hit the nail on the head, Jeremy. Let's set up today's homework."
Dr. Wright wrote all the exercises down along with their instructions. They proceeded to do the exercises together. Jeremy was thankful for the assistance, and he asked her to write copious notes down on each page, just so he could repeat them all correctly by himself.
After an hour or so, Jeremy took a long breath. He didn't realize how tiring just moving your ankle around could be. Dr. Wright said, "Well, that's it for today. I can see that you are pretty tired, and that's OK. Don't push your body beyond its limits right now."
"So, does this mean that I can sit around for the rest of the day?" queried Jeremy hopefully.
"Ha-ha — and no." she replied. "Even when you and your brothers are at home, I know you all keep busy. Think of things you can do that a don't require standing. Helping to dry the dishes, for example."
"But I'll have to stand at the sink to do that," Jeremy stated.
"No you don't. Get Joshua to pull up a chair while you do your part. The entire secret to faster healing is to keep moving as much as you can. Even if you're just sitting or lying in bed, lift one leg up at a time, and rotate your ankle gently. Things like that will keep you moving and healing."
"Hmph," replied Jeremy. "I think Candy is going to like having a knitting partner. I can at least hold the yarn when she wraps it up into a ball….!"
Dr. Allyn laughed. "I can just picture you two doing that - such domestic bliss!"
Jeremy rolled his eyes and laid back for some rest. Allyn gave him a quick peck on his cheek and whispered, "You'll always be my first and favorite patient, you know. I have to keep you healthy!" Then she whisked out of the cabin.
ssssssss
Jeremy didn't know how long he slept when he awoke to a pounding on the door.
He got up out of bed and promptly fell on the floor.
'Ugh, I have to remember not to do that again,' he thought.
While still on the floor, he yelled out "Who is it?" After no reply, he again shouted, "WHO IS IT?"
Two angry-looking men then burst into the house and menacingly came up to Jeremy.
They looked like seasonal trappers that came through town a few times a year, but these fellows didn't seem friendly at all.
"Uh - hello. Can I help you?"
The men snarled at Jeremy and one said "You don't look like you can help yourself, let alone anybody else. You just point to where the money and valuables are, and we'll leave without blowing your head off."
Jeremy wasn't about to tell these interloper anything. Instead, he asked them, "Why do you need those things? Has trapping been bad this season or something?"
The men both fixed their beady eyes on Jeremy. "Ha!" the first one proclaimed. "You think I'm a trapper? Boy, you got a lot to learn. Now tell me where those valuables are before I pull this trigger!"
Since the sun was going down at this point, Jeremy was still trying to stall until his brothers got back from camp.
"Well, just tell me what—" he started saying, when he felt a fist plant itself on his face, knocking him unconscious.
"You talk too much," the first man snarled, then they began ransacking everything in sight.
Chapter 18
By the time Jason and Josh returned home, it was pitch black outside. They saw that the front door had been left open, and heard moaning coming from Jeremy's bed. The rushed in to find him barely clinging to the side of the bed, with blood on the sheets.
"Jeremy! My God, what happened here?"
Jeremy barely heard his brother, but managed to whisper, "some angry men came in … and knocked me out before… looking for valuables…"
Both Jason and Josh set Jeremy's body into his bed. Jason immediately told Josh, "Go get Dr. Wright, and Aaron Stempel, too."
Josh ran out of the cabin while Jason sat down next to Jeremy. "Jeremy? Do you feel like anything new is broken?" Jeremy replied after a few deep breaths, "Uh…no, not really. But what wasn't broken got shook up a whole lot…" He was trying very hard to stay conscious.
ssssssss
Aaron and Josh ran into the cabin. Dr. Wright was right on their heels.
"Oh, dear God!" Aaron exclaimed while looking at the blood around Jeremy and the ransacked cabin. "Can you tell us what happened here, Jeremy?"
Jeremy roused as much as he could, and told them, "Some r-r-robbers just came in and knocked me out before r-r-ransacking our cabin. I don't think they got away with
m-m-much. I'm glad Jason and Josh keep tabs on where the money is kept."
"I don't understand why they picked our cabin," theorized Josh.
Just then they heard a woman's scream coming from less than a mile away. Josh and Aaron ran out to find out what happened, while Jason and Dr. Wright stayed with Jeremy.
Jason said softly, "Well, I guess those robbers did not pick just our cabin after all. I'm praying they aren't killing someone out there…"
Jeremy had stayed conscious as long as he could. Dr. Wright finished bandaging him up and helped Jason put the house back in order.
"Was there anything significant in your cabin that a robber would steal?" she asked.
Jason quickly stole a look at the fireplace hearth. What he was looking for was on the ground, tousled but not torn up.
"Well, there is only one thing that has value to us, but I don't think a robber wants to stop and read a family Bible…"
Chapter 19
Josh and Aaron tried as hard as they could to track the robbers down before anyone else was targeted or hurt. However, the dark of night lasted too long to catch the movement of any man or beast. They finally gave up around dawn, after checking on the two occupants of the house that was invaded after the Bolt cabin. Thank goodness they were both alive - hurt, but alive.
Both men dragged themselves back to the Bolt cabin. Jason already had a pot of strong coffee brewing. Dr. Wright was also still there, but getting ready to leave. She first asked Aaron, "Who were the next people accosted, and how did they fare?"
Josh replied, "It was Mr. and Mrs Fogle. Despite their age, they fought them off pretty well. They're both a little battered and frightened, but they seem 'intact.' "
"I'll head over there right now," Dr. Allyn replied. "I'll return afterwards to check on Jeremy. I don't think he should do any of his therapeutic 'exercises' for several days. He needs some serious rest!"
And with that, she was gone.
Not long afterwards, Jason heard a gentle knock on the cabin door. Thinking it was Candy, he opened the door with a big smile, and then inhaled sharply in surprise.
"Why, Running Fox!? What brings you here?"
She replied, "There were two white men who attacked our camp yesterday, leaving behind much destruction and injuries. I wanted to warn you about them, for I believe they were traveling in this direction."
"Well, you would be correct, Running Fox," Aaron answered. " Some very wild white men did tear through Seattle last night also, knocking Jeremy out and injuring an elderly couple about a mile away."
Running Fox ran over to Jeremy, who was still unconscious. She saw the blood around the leg and face, and lifted the leg to examine any open wounds. Jeremy let out a loud groan as she picked up the leg and examined it in detail.
"Nothing new seems to have happened, but the stitches have been stretched to the breaking point. I would like to confer with Dr. Allyn about this matter."
"She should be back shortly," replied Jason. "She went to tend to the older couple who were attacked after us."
"This should not be happening!" exclaimed Running Fox. "Our camps have had peace and cooperation for so many suns that we are not used to seeing bad white men anymore."
"Unfortunately, there will always be 'bad white men' out there, Running Fox," Aaron told her. "The trick is to protect you and your camp against all strangers and wild animals, and be vigilant about guarding them all."
"And there is no such thing as 'too many' guards," Jason gently added.
Just then Dr. Wright entered the cabin. "Well, look who is here! We are so glad to see you! Wait - was you camp attacked too?"
Running Fox nodded her head sadly. "We could not believe such destruction from just two white men…"
"One escaped prison before joining up with his cohort and they both 'went on the warpath,' heading straight in our direction," Aaron said. He added, "Ben Perkins tried to warn us when he received a telegram about an escaped prisoner, but we didn't listen."
"I sure hope we listen next time," Josh added.
"There should not even BE a next time!" steamed Dr. Wright. "Why can't people just… just…oh, never mind…," she said in exasperation. Running Fox went to her and touched her arm gently.
"At least you and I are healing those who did not fare so well, Allyn. Jeremy's ankle is still intact, although his stitches need to be much tighter." The two women then set about quietly repairing the ankle's stitches.
All the men present in the cabin looked upon the female doctors with pride and awe.
Chapter 20
Aaron showed up at Ben's Mercantile first thing in the morning and told Ben to send another telegram, this time to the Territorial Marshal in Everett.
"Tell him to be on the lookout for two deranged convicts," Aaron said crisply. "In fact, arrest anyone who doesn't look familiar today!"
Ben looked up with raised eyebrows, but, not seeing Aaron correct himself, he just copied what was said.
"Is that all you want to say, Aaron?" Ben asked gently.
"No!" barked Stempel. "Tell him that not only did they tear through our town in the middle the night, they tore through a friendly Indian Village not too far from here. They left nothing but a trail of death and destruction. Those maniacs need to be hung!" He threw some coins on Ben's desk and stormed out.
ssssssss
The day was long and all of Seattle's citizens grew a bit paranoid that the thieves would circle back to Seattle and wreak more havoc. The next town to the north was several days away.
Jason took precautions at the Lumber Camp. He advised all workers to stop what they were doing and immediately come to the Office Tent if they saw someone who was even remotely unfamiliar.
Everyone was "on edge" by the time the workday was finished. Jason understood the tenseness of the situation, so he proclaimed free beers all around - on him - at Lottie's. There was a collective cheer when he made the announcement, and some of the fear was lifted, albeit temporarily.
As Jason's men were relaxing a bit and enjoying their beers at Lottie's, Aaron Stempel walked through the door and looked around puzzled. Jason saw him and told him, in a voice loud enough for all to hear, "What's the matter, Aaron? Didn't you offer your men free beers at Lottie's after such a hard, tense day?"
Aaron just stood there glowering. Of course, he knew Jason was correct - he always seemed to keep his men happy in some fashion. All he could say to Jason was "That's all right. I prefer to give my men a higher wage than 'treats' all the time."
The room suddenly got very quiet. Jason leveled a look of disdain at Stempel before replying, "My men make a good living wage; the 'treats' are just a nice bonus for a job well done."
All the men mumbled in the affirmative, nodded their heads, and went back to their talking or card-playing.
Stempel walked closer to Jason. He lowered his voice, asking, "Have you heard any news from the towns to the North of Seattle? I sent a wire to the Territorial Marshal in Everett this morning to be on the lookout."
"Ah, Aaron - it will take them several days to reach Everett, even if they're heading straight north."
"I don't know how to warn people along the way about them. There must be something that we can do!"
Jason thought for a moment and whispered to Aaron, "I can't think of anything offhand, but have a drink with me in the meantime."
Aaron produced a hint of a smile and told Lottie he needed his Reserved bottle of Scotch. He poured a drink for both him and Jason, and they retreated to the private back room to talk.
The End of Part 2