by Joel Baker
“I don’t see why you fuss about some mangy, old wolves,” Rachel said smiling at Matthew again. “I feel all icky, and my butt hurts from riding that stupid horse.”
James laughed, Molly smiled, and Matthew blushed.
“Rachel, I asked you not to complain about coming out here,” Lester said.
“Rachel,” Molly said. “You’re such a pretty young woman. I’m surprised you don’t take more of an interest in the damage those wolves are inflicting. They can be terribly dangerous.”
Molly looked over and saw that Matthew was staring at Rachel like a puppy. She decided to let Rachel go for now and keep quiet. It bothered Molly that Rachel kept interrupting her father. Rachel needed to be disciplined, but it didn’t seem likely to come any time soon.
“I suppose,” Rachel said, “I just don’t see what the big deal is, that’s all.”
“How are your dogs doing with the wolves?” Lester asked.
“Matthew?” Rachel said. “I didn’t know you had dogs. I just love dogs! What kind of dogs are they? I like little dogs, Are they little dogs, Matthew?”
“They’re big dogs, Rachel,” Matthew said, looking at Rachel.
Matthew looked back at Lester, a somewhat confused look on his face.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Walker,” Matthew said. “I forgot what question you asked.”
“I asked how your dogs were doing on finding the wolves,” Lester said.
“The dogs are tracking them,” Matthew said. “I think they’re going to attack the wolves at their den. The wolves are cagy, so it may take some time. My guess is they’ll have them by the end of the week.”
“That’s pretty good, Matthew,” Lester asked. “I thought it might take longer.”
“The dogs are being careful,” Matthew said. “They don’t want any of the wolves to escape.”
“Gees, I almost forgot. I got some more news,” Lester said. “We had a family come into our place looking for help. I think they said they were Ute.”
“They’re dirty and smell bad,” Rachel said, making a face.
“Sometimes we all do,” Molly said smiling. “I’ll bet even you, Rachel.”
“Who are they?” James asked.
“I’m not sure,” Lester said. “Their English is only so-so. I think they said they were driven south by the Cheyenne. Their village was attacked and destroyed. They lived up in Colorado some place, north of the Denver ruins.”
“They are probably either Ute or Arapaho, if they’re from Colorado,” James said. “If they were from further north, they could be Crow. My son-in-law, Dalton could find out.”
“How big is the family?” Molly asked.
“A father, mother, and two young ones,” Lester said. “They said they have an older daughter with them. I think they said she was sixteen. We haven’t seen her yet. The whole family stays in the barn most of the time. It’s late in the year, and I think their looking for shelter for the winter.”
“Do you have a place for them?” James asked.
“Well they’re not staying with us,” Rachel said with a frown. “Our house is big, but it’s not big enough for those people.”
“You know Rachel,” Molly said smiling sweetly at the pouty girl. “I was just thinking. You’re so much prettier when you don’t say anything.”
Lester laughed, as he watched Rachel stomp off toward the horses.
“Lester, we’ll take those people in for the winter,” Molly said. “Your boys did such a wonderful job helping us. I think we need to help a family who obviously needs it.”
“Why don’t you have Dalton come down and meet them before you decide,” Lester said.
“That sounds like good idea,” James said. “We’ll take a look and let you know.”
Lester nodded as he went over and got on his horse. Rachel had already ridden off towards home.
“I can spare the boys another week,” Lester said. “They can help you put up a cabin for them. But, meet the family before you decide.”
“Thanks, Lester,” James said. “You better leave now if you’re going to catch Rachel. She’s got quite a head start.”
Chapter 17
The dogs walked into camp on the third day after Rachel and her father left for home. They were tired, but had no major injuries. Molly and Matthew examined each of the dogs, and patched up the minor gashes, bites, and wounds on each of the dogs. The only dog unmarked, was little Max.
The next morning, Jake told Matthew how the fight with the wolves went. Max was in the thick of it throughout. Every time one of the wolves came at him, he would change into the beast. The attacking wolf would pull up, turn, and try to run away. Max killed three of the wolves, with a little help from one of the other dogs.
Once Matthew was sure Jake and the other dogs were alright, he took Jake away from the camp. They walked a short way up the edge of the stream before stopping.
“I’m confused about Max,” Matthew said. “When Jezebel changed into the beast at the fight by the river, it was incredibly painful for her. Then when she changed back, it took several days for her to return to normal. Am I wrong?”
No, Matthew, Jake said. You are correct.
“Then how can little Max change back and forth, almost at will?” Matthew asked.
Does it matter how he does it? Jake asked.
Max suffers no side effects when he does it?” Matthew asked. “What about the pain?”
If he does, he doesn’t seem to mind it, Jake said.
“When will Max be old enough for me to talk to him directly?” Matthew asked.
He understands you now, Jake said. All the pups born now, hear you almost from the first day. But only a very few will ever be able to talk to you. This is new, Matthew, and it worries us. Perhaps someday, none will be able to talk with you. That would change everything.
“It would be so sad, if we could not talk,” Matthew said shaking his head.
I know, Jake said. I know.
“Max is so large,” Matthew said. “How old is he?”
He is less than a year old, Jake said. If he continues to grow like this, he will be the largest dog ever.
“It looks like we’ll have to stop calling him Little Max,” Matthew said. “I just hope he can talk to me soon.”
***
Molly thought Matthew seemed a little sad as they prepared to leave for home. She wasn’t sure why he was, and hoped it wasn’t anything to do with the dogs. The dogs were so much a part of the Colter family. None of them could imagine what life would be like without them.
She’d heard enough stories about Sarah Colter, to know it was Sarah who insisted on bringing the dogs with them. Molly understood what Sarah must have felt towards the dogs. She was disappointed that she couldn’t communicate with them, but thought it a blessing that Shannon and Matthew could. What a miracle it is, Molly thought. To know what those magnificent animals are thinking must be a gift from God.
Molly watched as James and Matthew tied the last of their supplies on the pack horse. The dogs had left just before daylight. Now it was time for the three of them to head home. Molly thought she knew a way to cheer Matthew up.
“Matthew,” Molly said. “Why don’t we all swing by the Walker place on the way home? We can let Lester know the about the wolves, and just maybe, you’ll get to spend a little time with Rachel.”
Matthew noticeably brightened. He seemed to move quicker and smile to himself in anticipation of seeing the pretty little Rachel again. I just hope the girl doesn’t say anything that makes me choke the living daylights out of her, Molly thought, as she mounted and headed out of camp.
***
It was midday as they rode over the rise above the Walker place. It was another hot day and the heat shimmered across the grass and road leading down to the main house. Molly wore a linen shirt, with denim pants and a large felt cowboy hat. Her boots were plain leather. Sweat was running down her spine and soaking the back of her shirt. Molly knew Rachel and her mother would be ho
me, and she looked a mess.
As they drew close to the main house, James was the first to see the dead horse on the ground, its reins still tied to the hitching post. A man knelt in the dirt next to it and patted the horse’s face gently. A boy and girl stood off to one side next to a woman. The little girl was crying.
The Colters rode up and dismounted next to the dead horse. The man looked up at them.
“What happened?” James asked.
The man shrugged his shoulders and finally stood up. A woman of about fifty came out of the house, and stood on the porch looking down at the dead horse. Rachel came out and stood by her, a frown on her face.
“Who are you people?” the woman asked.
“They’re the Colters daddy and I told you about,” Rachel said, pointing at Matthew with a big smile on her face. “That tall, good looking one, is Matthew,”
“Oh for Lords sake!” the woman said. “Come up on the porch so I can meet you. Lester told me all about you.”
Molly and Matthew headed for the front steps. James knelt down by the man in the dirt. He said something to the man, and the man nodded his head.
“I’m Molly Colter,” Molly said extending her hand to the woman on the porch. “This is my son Matthew, and that is my husband James helping that man with his horse.”
“I’m Elsie Walker,” the woman said. “I’m so pleased to meet you. Mr. Colter, you can leave that horse be. I knew that horse was soon dead, when I saw those people come in here. Lester will get rid of it as soon as he gets back.”
James waved to the women, and then walked over to his horse and got his rope off the saddle. He returned to the man still kneeling in the dirt, and put his arm over his shoulder. He said something to him, only the man could hear. The man stood and went over where the woman and children stood. James untied the reins from the hitching rail, and took the bridle off the dead horse.
After handing the bridle back to the man, James tied the rope around the back feet of the horse, and then to the pommel of his saddle. He dragged the horse out of sight behind the barn. When he came back, he came up on the porch and extended his hand to the woman.
“This is Elsie, Rachel’s mother,” Molly said.
“Hello,” James said. “My name is James Colter.”
“You shouldn’t have bothered with that horse,” Elsie said. “Lester could have taken care of it when he got back.”
“I suppose,” James said. “But it was bothering the children, so I thought we should get it out of sight. Where is Lester?”
Rachel had moved over to Matthew’s side and had a hold of his arm. Matthew smiled down at her. Molly did her best to ignore them. She noticed that Elsie was just a few years older than she, but much younger than Lester.
“He sent his boys into town to get some supplies,” Elsie said. “Then, at the last minute, he decided he better go with them. You never know for sure when it comes to those boys.”
“You said ‘his boys’,” Molly said. “Aren’t they your boys too?”
“Good Lord, no!” Elsie said. “They’re from Lester’s first wife, God rest her soul. They’re good workers, but they are an ugly bunch, don’t you think? Of course Lester isn’t much to look at, but that man is a good provider. Why are we standing out here? Come on in the house.”
Elsie turned and entered the house. Molly looked over as Rachel and Matthew walked to the far end of the porch. She rolled her eyes at James as they followed Elsie into the house.
***
The ride back to Colter Canyon seemed to take forever. When they got back, they found Shannon and Dalton in a good mood and feeling fine. Molly had been worried about Shannon, but according to Jezebel everything looked good. Dalton had gone hunting and got a grizzled old buffalo. That would add much needed provisions, for the winter that was fast approaching.
James pulled Dalton aside and told him about the refugees staying at the Walker place. He suggested that he and Dalton go check on them; since it seemed obvious they wouldn’t be welcomed at the Walkers for long. The three brothers would be coming up the following week to put together a small place for the new people, if they were on the up and up.
The Colters also needed trade goods and provisions from the town. All they had to trade were smoked meat and hides, for now. If they couldn’t get what they needed from Alamosa, they would have to head up to a larger town, like Pueblo. It was over a hundred miles to Pueblo, but they might have to make the trip.
The next day James and Dalton headed out for the Walker place. Matthew had asked to go with them, but James thought he and Dalton should be enough. James was pretty sure he knew why Matthew wanted to go to the Walkers. He and Dalton took a pack horse with them just in case. Lester was sitting on the front porch in a rocking chair when they rode up.
“Hey now, it’s the Colters!” Lester called. “Sorry I missed you yesterday. I heard you took care of the wolves. I suspect we won’t be bothered by the pack anytime soon.”
“I don’t know for sure, but I think it was a blood bath,” James said. “Your cattle should be safe for a while.”
“I understand you have some guests,” Dalton said.
“You get right to it, don’t you?” Lester asked. “I like that.”
“I’m not much for small talk,” Dalton said. “Sorry.”
“Never apologize for being direct, young man,” Lester said. “We had five of those people walk in here, about four days ago. Sorry looking bunch, they were. All they owned was piled on a sway back nag, that dropped dead right over by that hitching post. But you know that, James. You hauled that thing out behind the barn. It took my boys all morning to bury the thing.”
“I only saw four of the refugees, Lester,” James said. “I saw a man, woman, and two young ones.”
“There’s an older girl too,” Lester said. “She’s stayed in the barn since they got here. Comes out at night and walks around. It seems a little strange, if you ask me.”
“I think we should meet them, Lester,” James said. “We got the impression from your wife that she’d be happier if they found some place else to live.”
“You’re not wrong there, James,” Lester said. “Come on. I’ll introduce you now.”
The three men walked over to the barn where the family was staying. The man came out and huddled with Dalton over to the side. After about ten minutes, Dalton and the man came walking back to where Lester and James waited.
“I think I got their story,” Dalton said. “Three months ago, their Ute village was attacked by an Arapaho war party. It wasn’t well organized and was more confusion than anything. They think it was just young men out to make some trouble. One of the young men was apparently the oldest son of a head man of the Arapaho Nation. The boy received a head wound, and then died on the way back to his father.”
“The father swore vengeance and returned with a group of warriors. They massacred every male in the village. The women and children were carried off and it probably didn’t end well for them either.”
“Tate, his wife Nina, and their children, were visiting a neighboring village. They hid when the Arapaho attacked. When it was over, they gathered what they could find, and headed south.”
“They knew their horse was almost dead, when they reached this place. They don’t know what to do, but said they are willing to work.”
“Have Tate and Nina bring their family out, and introduce them,” James said.
Nate disappeared into the barn and came back out, followed by Nina and their children. The young boy and girl tried to hide behind Nina’s skirt. Some distance behind them, came the older daughter. She wore a long, full skirt and a veiled shawl over her head falling past her waist.
“The boy’s name is Jacy, and the youngest daughters name is Copa,” Dalton said. “The oldest daughter’s name is Fala.”
“Ask Nate what’s wrong with her,” James said. “Is she scarred or disfigured?”
“I already asked him. He says that their daughter neither,” Dal
ton said. “He says she is cursed with great beauty. It is better if she covers herself when she’s around strangers.”
“You’re kidding,” James said.
“No,” Dalton said. “That’s what he told me.”
“Lester, can your boys come back to help us put up another shelter?” James asked.
“I’ll have them back up there within the week,” Lester said. “Does that mean you’ll look after them for the winter?”
“With such a beauty in the family, how could I not?” James asked as he turned towards the horses, muttering to himself. “Now I’ve heard everything.”
Chapter 18
James borrowed two horses from Lester, promising to send them home with his boys next week. Dalton and James each took one of the children and rode double. Tate and his wife Nina shared one of Lester’s horses, while the veiled daughter rode the other alone. The few belongings the family had with them were loaded on the pack horse James had brought for that purpose.
As they rode away, James and Dalton turned and waved to Lester, who waved back. Elsie and Rachel had come out of the house and both stood on the front porch, their arms crossed in front of them. Neither of the women smiled, or waved as Colters rode over the ridge and out of sight.
Dalton led the way with Jacy, a boy of about eight, riding in front of him. The boy was grinning. James had the young girl Copa riding behind him, holding tightly to his waist. Once they were out of sight from the Walter’s, Tate and Nina rode up next to James.
“Thank you, for letting my family go with you,” Tate said.
“You speak English,” James said smiling.
“Of course,” Tate said. “We weren’t sure if we could trust the Walkers or not, so we spoke little to them.”
James looked over at Dalton who was riding by his side, a big smile on his face.
“You knew?” James asked.
“Yes,” Dalton said. “I didn’t think it would hurt to go along with them.”
“Stop!” Fala yelled from behind, as she pulled up sharply on her reins.