by Terri Grace
With his fresh mustang, Seth journeyed for days westwards, sticking to the major trails, and seeking out stops and inns whenever night was falling.
A week after leaving home, Seth found himself staring down a rocky knoll at an old rickety-looking cabin on the hillside across the valley—about a two hundred paces from where he stood. He looked dirty and tired. He hadn’t encountered any more stops for days, and despite the knowledge that he had entered Montana territory, it was nothing like he had expected. Yes, mountains, for sure, but he had no idea he would be encountering a large expanse of dry, patchy grassland before being overwhelmed by a sea of endless mountains.
If Griffin’s directions were right, he was at the right place—the place to start putting a map together. Below where he stood, there was the possibility of striking gold—pure gold.
Weary and trembling from the early morning cold, he looked down more carefully, eyes focusing on what he thought was a man. Sure enough, he sighted two men. They were not Indians, as he had suspected. They had axes, and they were heading uphill. Towards the cabin?
Instinctively, he started to run down the hill, yelling and waving his hands hysterically. The two men didn’t see him at first, but he continued to yell and run, and eventually, they turned around and started looking out for the source of the noise.
About half an hour later, Seth was sitting on a piece of rock, looking up at George and David Oat, father and son from Oregon Country. George Oat looked like fifty, with greying brown hair and thick brown beard, while David looked like Seth’s peer, no more than twenty-five, he guessed. They owned the old cabin.
“Like I said,” George was saying, “we are returning home, but the plan is to return in a couple of months. The land looks promising—a small river behind those hills…” he pointed in the distance, “and the flat side, where you came from… not bad for crops. Heck, some ranchers were up here a couple of months ago. They got scared away by a little storm.”
“So,” Seth asked carefully, “you don’t want to lease me your cabin? I will stay for just a month.”
George looked at David, who shrugged. He looked like a younger version of George—skinny like his father, but no grey hair; only a thin brown mustache.
“What exactly are you out here to do, son?” George folded his arms.
“Search for gold,” Seth told him.
George and David burst out laughing suddenly, and Seth was momentarily speechless.
“I’m serious,” Seth said amidst their laughter.
“You know what?” George leaned forward, “Since you’ll be rich soon, you can afford to buy the cabin, and this hill if you like. I will take payment when I return in a few months. I bet you’ll be here if you find any gold?”
George burst into a fresh fit of chuckling, while David simply shook his head and sighed.
“There’s no gold up here, brother,” David said pointedly, “we’d know that by now. The Indians would have known that by now. So, wherever you’ve travelled from, I suggest you go back home and save your strength for something else.”
“Or,” George added, “you can join the folks coming up here. People want to come to this area, but no one wants to settle here first. Some are scared of the rains, some are still dumb enough to be scared of the Indians. Farming and ranching can give you some good money, son,”
“I’m not here to farm sir, but thank you,” Seth smiled, “and if your offer of the cabin’s sale still stands, I’ll take it.”
George looked at his son again. David only smiled at his father.
“Tell you what?” George decided, “It’s yours. When I see you next time, we will discuss payment.”
“Really?” Seth was surprised, “What if I bolt?”
“You don’t look like you will,” George chuckled, “you're blinded by a golden dream.”
Seth could hardly believe his good fortune. He took it as a sign from God that he was on the right trail.
* * *
By nightfall, Seth had erected a short fence around the cabin. Prior to that, he had journeyed with George Oat to Henn Height, the nearest and largest town for about fifty miles, and the only place with a post office. At Henn Height, he sent out his first letter to Constance:
* * *
My dearest wife,
I have missed you more than anything… After eight days, I have gotten to my destination. It’s a lovely place, but nobody seems to see that! You should have been here with me. Rolling hills, a peaceful river, and a lot of prospect and hope… I will start making my map tonight. First light tomorrow, I will be out to start. I wish I could do all this in one day and run back to you at home.
If you are worrying about my health, then you should know that I am in the best condition. I feel fit and strong. I could run with you on my back for a mile.
With this strength, I am sure the gold is not far from me. I am confident I will indeed be successful and return home to you soonest.
Truly, I miss you. I miss you, my wife… I miss my home, I miss my food, I miss my bed. I miss everything.
God continue to watch over you, my love. Till I see your angelic face again.
Love,
Seth
Chapter 8
The Map & Connie's Reply
SETH DISCOVERED GEORGE Oat had an old broken table at the back of the cabin that evening. Using some tools in the cabin, he fixed the broken table and set it in the middle of the cabin.
Spreading the huge parchment he had purchased in Henn Height on the large table, Seth carefully pinned it to the wood, and then stood back to look at what he knew would soon be an elaborate treasure map.
* * *
The next days, Seth embarked on his search for gold, spending long hours on foot through the mountains without food. He only returned to his cabin around midnight to sleep.
When opportunity arose between his prospecting excursions, he rode into Henn Height, expecting a letter from his beloved wife. True to her word, Constance had sent him a prompt reply:
* * *
My dear Seth,
I thank God you are safe. I have missed you dearly, and wish you would return sooner. I am counting the days as you told me to, and I hope you will come back to me soon. The house is so empty without you.
I am struggling to eat alone when I cook and I long to sit with you; play together and lie together.
I pray that you find what you are looking for soon. But if you do not, remember that God is in control, and trust his Word at all times, darling.
There is something important I need to share with you, so hurry home so I can show you!
I love you so so much, and cannot wait any longer. God protect you, my darling, and bring you back home, where you belong.
With love,
Connie
* * *
Seth kept the letter in the pocket of his breeches for as long as he could remember after reading it. He had missed his wife, and when he returned to the cold, empty cabin that night, he could not sleep. He spent some time on his knees praying for guidance and revelation for the rest of his mission, before he spent the rest of the night with lamps and candles—carefully adding detail to the map he was making of the area.
Chapter 9
Almost
CONSTANCE HAD RECEIVED an invitation from Lenora Brown, the preacher’s wife, but she intended staying home and tending to her rose gardens. She wasn’t particularly fond of company or social chatter, even if it was with a clergyman’s wife. Lenora knew Seth was away, and thought it would be good for Constance to come into town and spend some time with her and some of the other women in the church that Saturday. Constance wasn’t like the others though, and she contented herself with the chores around the house instead.
After a light lunch and a walk along the woods, she was returning to the house when she sighted a familiar rider coming on the lone path to their home. It was the postman. Lifting her skirts, she ran with all her might. She had not heard from Seth in weeks, and this week was
the fourth week since he left.
The postman didn’t need to dismount from his horse. Constance smiled at him, and snatched the letter with lightning speed, before turning away to start tearing it open.
Consumed with excitement and anticipation of her husband informing her of his return, she didn’t hear the postman leave:
* * *
My darling Constance,
I have been unable to write because of the unforgiving distances I have had to travel these weeks. In fact, the mission has been tougher than I thought. By God’s grace, I believe I am making steady progress.
In fact, because of that, I find it vital that I stay a while longer to finish what I have started, so I can return home with something meaningful to show you. I believe I am so close, and I hope you truly understand my need to do this.
I believe another week will be enough to complete my assignment and find the right spots where the precious stones are resting. I believe God has great treasures in store for us! We are going to make it, my love. Stay strong for me, and I will return to you soon.
I love you and I miss you dearly. My cabin is always cold and my food tasteless without your company. Continue to pray with me for my breakthrough and my return. All this will surely be worth it.
God be with you, and continue to keep you safe and sound for me.
Your love,
Seth
* * *
When Constance read the last words, the first drops of her tears splattered on the paper. She was heartbroken. It seemed the gold hunt had gripped into Seth’s heart, tearing him away from her. He sounded obsessed and unready to come home without it.
“Dear God,” she knelt on the ground, hand on her chest, and eyes lifted up to the clear blue sky, “please bring him home. I can’t do this alone…”
She was worried about the child. The doctor had inquired of her husband, and he had been concerned to hear Seth wasn’t even aware—neither was he close. Worse of all, she lived alone.
Chapter 10
Caught In The Gorge
IT WAS GETTING dark when Seth realized he had wandered deeper than he realized into the gorge he had discovered that afternoon. He had heard unfamiliar noises, and thought maybe it would be best to continue his adventure the next day. Home was probably another four hours away, but staying in the freezing gorge or mountains was no option.
Swinging his bag of tools and equipment behind him he began climbing steadily up the rocks when he thought he heard a whistle—a human whistle. From his awkward position against the rock, it was impossible to look down.
Heart beating faster, he decided to concentrate on the climb instead. In less than a minute, he heard another whistle, and then another. He was sure now he had been sighted by Indians. His palms were bruised from the panic climb, but he was determined to get to the top to safety. One could never tell in these parts which Indians were friendly, and which ones were not. That was what George Oat had told him.
Seth was panting, and his arms felt like they were going to pop out of their sockets when he finally fell on his back after climbing out of the gorge, a starry sky above him.
He heart nearly came out of his mouth when a grotesque face suddenly blocked his view of the sky.
Dark beady eyes were staring back at him. Instantly, Seth knew he had been found.
“Please, I mean no harm,” his first words came out shrill, out of fear.
The man didn’t seem to understand. He only frowned and then spoke rapidly. Then he kept silent, folding his arms and stepping back—but still keeping eyes on Seth.
“So, can I get up?” Seth stuttered, lifting his hands in front of him as a sign of surrender.
Without waiting for an answer, he started to sit up. He was horrified when the Indian jumped down on him, landing a heavy blow to his head. He had been caught totally off-guard, and he felt his head spinning, and his vision darkening. The last thing he remembered was feeling a salty tear enter his mouth.
Chapter 11
Gone
IT WAS OVER eight weeks since Constance last heard from Seth. She had deteriorated in every way. The pregnancy and the worry over Seth’s whereabouts were taking their toll. She had lost weight, she had lost the spark in her eyes, and she was beginning to lose hope. Initially, she had been shattered because she thought Seth had been lured by the urge for wealth. But after the sixth week, she started worrying about his safety. What if something had happened to him? It was a dangerous world out west. The tales she heard of the West were hardly appealing to say the least.
Lenora Brown had become a regular visitor to Seth’s house, and Constance found the small lady’s presence helpful. They would pray together, and Lenora would sing for her sometimes to cheer her. On some of the good days, they would knit together.
On this Friday morning, Constance was lying in bed, feeling drowsy. Lenora had come earlier that morning, and was in the kitchen preparing breakfast for her.
Constance looked down at her swollen belly, and smiled sadly. If only Seth was here to see this.
Without warning, the door opened, and Lenora rushed in, a letter in her hand.
“Constance! Look!” She sounded triumphant.
She sat up immediately, and Lenora rushed to give her the letter.
She opened it, swallowing hard as she did. She did not know what news it held this time, but she was afraid to be positive. The last time she had received a letter from Seth, he was explaining the need to stay longer. Now, what was going on?
She straightened the paper, and started to read to herself:
* * *
My beloved wife!
I am terribly sorry for the anxiety I have caused you. For the past two months, God has turned evil into good for me, and for us. I was captured by Indians a little over two months ago, and I nearly lost my life. Somehow, God was with me, and after some time, I was able to convince them I meant no harm.
I did not know where I was, and I spent weeks returning to the town where I was able to send you this letter. In those weeks, wonderful things have happened my love.
I am convinced I am even closer to gold now, and the map looks very good. I am sure I would never have got so close had the Indians not captured me and taken me miles away. My demise seems to have turned out well after all!
I have built a small cabin at a place I call Rainbow Mountain. You should see it for yourself, my love. After every heavy downpour, magnificent rainbows are so prominent in the sky. I know you will love Rainbow Mountain.
I am rarely near town these times, but it is all because I want to end this quickly and return home to you with the spoils. I love you dearly, and I hope you continue to endure for me. God keep you, my love.
Your love,
Seth
* * *
“Constance?” Lenora sounded worried.
Constance did not realize she was crying again. She was glad he was safe, but it didn’t look like Seth was returning home.
“Lenora?” She looked to the other woman.
“Yes?”
“Do me a favor, will you?”
“Anything, Constance,”
“Kindly send a message to my mother in Pittsburgh. I am almost six months pregnant, and I don’t know when Seth is coming back. I need her to be with me until he returns. You need to be with your husband more.”
“Constance, you don’t have to—”
“Please Lenora,” she insisted, “all you can do is pray harder that Seth finds what he’s after. Because I need him home. The sooner he finds that gold, the sooner I have my husband by my side. I don’t want to have my child without him.”
“All right,” Lenora assured her, “let me get you some food now.”
“No,” Constance stopped her, “I am going to fast for my husband, and I am starting now.”
Chapter 12
Rainbow Mountain
SETH HAD FACED a struggle moving from George’s cabin to the new location he had named Rainbow Mountain. Surprisingly, George Oat h
ad not returned at all. After three days, and with the help of one friendly Shoshone Indian, Washakie, (whose name Seth had decided to shorten to Wash) he settled in his new cabin.
Seth and Wash developed a brotherly relationship and together, they improved the map vastly, and soon started digging a mile from Rainbow Mountain.
Back at home, Constance’s pregnancy entered the eighth month. Her mother Beatrice had been living with her for a few months, but her health was only getting worse.
“Constance,” Beatrice was sitting at the edge of her daughter’s bed one morning, “I am getting scared for you and the baby. I think you should write to Seth. Tell him to come home.”
“Mother,” Constance’s eyes were closed, “I don’t want to kill his dream. All his toil will be for nothing if I force him to return home when he isn’t finished yet.”
“Constance, you said yourself this expedition has become an obsession. It is time he snapped out of it and return home to his wife and child! Tell him he has a child on the way! We are running out of money, and it would be difficult for us and the child.” Beatrice pointed out to her.