Chapter 9
During the fighting, Charlie Bates had been in a skirmish or two with a couple of the raiders but had outmaneuvered and tied them up in the clearing nearby. He was fairly confident that someone would find them eventually. He was walking back to the camp when he heard an unusual sound. He looked around him and could not see anything. He was on the edge of an embankment when he heard the sound again. This time it sounded like moaning. Charlie cautiously went down the embankment holding onto the spear he had found ready to defend himself if needed. He noticed that there was some blood on the ground and slowed down. The next thing he saw was two men, one on the ground face up with his eyes open but no life in them and the other one on his stomach moaning.
When Jason had arrived in Seattle, there was no one in the town. He was calling out everyone's names when he saw Biddie come out of the dormitory with a basket of bandages.
"Oh, Jason, I am so glad you are back. Candy would like to see you as soon as possible. We are at Lottie's upstairs room 7. I have to go; they need these bandages right away!" said Biddie on her mission to bring the bandages. Jason did not have time to ask. He just followed Biddie to Lottie's and to room 7.
As he was about to follow Biddie in, Charlie Bates came out of the room and said that Candy asked everyone to leave the room until the doctor said it was oaky. So, Charlie guided Jason down to the bar at Lottie's and bought him a beer. Aaron was there as well as Andrew, who was on leave to help his 'adopted' son'.
"Ah, Mr. Bolt, it is good to see you. Your little brother sure is a strong fighter. Like I said before, he may be little, but he is worth the respect we can all show him!" Jason looked at Andrew and was confused until he was called up to room 7.
"Jason, Jeremy wants to talk to you." Said Candy who left them in the room to talk.
When she went downstairs, her and Biddie went back to the dorm to talk a little more. She had the children at the dorm with her sister watching them until she returned.
"J-j-jason, is that you? "Asked Jeremy.
"Yes, it is me. It is good to see you alive, what happened?"
I-i-i don't rem-remember? Charlie found me and Corporal Heart, or is it, Sergeant Heart? Anyway, he is dead, I was almost dead when Charlie found me." Said Jeremy slowly.
"Jeremy, I am glad you are alive! And you will get better soon, I hope. What does Doctor Wright say?" asked Jason. Just then Dr. Wright came in and said:
"He will be well enough for the potluck next week! It seems he was knocked unconscious by the gun being fired…."
"What gun?" Jason asked worried.
"The gun that Sergeant Haddock had on him. It seems that Jeremy was trying to keep from getting shot himself. When it went off it knocked Jeremy off of the corporal and onto a rock which of course gave him a concussion and he was out. When Charlie came by, he was moaning and was about to wake up. So, Charlie came and got Christopher and they took him back here to Seattle. The rest of you were still fighting." Said Dr Wright.
Jason was quiet. He was glad that Jeremy was alright. Somehow, he had to get word to the rest at the Indian village that Jeremy was okay. He went back down to the bar. Andrew came back in to finish his beer and was about to do that when he saw Jason. He went over to Jason and said:
"I wouldn't worry about getting word to the Indian village. They already know. Golden Eagle was here when they brought Jeremy in. So, by the time he made it back, you must have missed him or taken a different route, anyway everything is fine and there are plans for a wonderful potlatch!" said Andrew as he finished his beer and walked outside.
Aaron came into Lottie's and as soon as he found out that Jeremy was on the mend, he told Jason that Jeremy would have to go to jail until they were sure that he did not shoot the sergeant.
"Jason, it is just a formality. The Judge will be here next week, and we can have it cleared up at that time!" said Aaron taking a sip of his brandy.
"Aaron, the potluck is next week, our uncle is getting married, what do you mean to keep Jeremy in jail until after the potluck?" said Jason who had just finished his beer.
Aaron looked at Jason and then said:
How do I know he won't slip away and disappear during the potluck? How do we know that Jeremy didn't outright kill that man!"
Joshua had just come in when he heard the last thing that Aaron said, and it was the last thing he said as Joshua punched Aaron. Aaron fell to the ground but was not out. He sat up placing his hand over his mouth. Jason went to help him up, but he refused Jason's help. He got up and stood up on his own and said:
"Joshua Bolt, you are under arrest for assault! Harve, I need you to take this man to jail!" Aaron said as he looked at Jason and then walked out of Lottie's. Joshua looked at Jason, it would be the first time he had ever been in jail. His younger brother was always getting in for something or another. Jason nodded for Joshua to go ahead. He had some thinking to do. He left Lottie's and went up to the camp.
