by Al Lacy
Katasho and Pawaga looked at each other nervously.
Makota glanced up. “Both of you take the unpleasant message to Chief Tando.”
They nodded, exchanged glances again, and made their way hesitantly toward the spot where the chief was talking to the people of the village, who were gathered around him.
While other warriors, older men, women, and children gathered around the chief and Danpo, they heard the subchief tell Tando of the rancher whose cattle they were stealing arriving home with his family in their wagon.
Danpo said, “The rancher started shooting at us. My braves and I began shooting back. One of the rancher’s bullets hit Yamda, but within minutes, we had shot and killed the rancher, his wife and children.”
Chief Tando laid a steady hand on Danpo’s muscular shoulder. A thin smile graced the chief’s lips. “The gates of the heart of Tando are opened to Danpo and his braves. Those white people you killed have invaded our land. They have paid for it now. Danpo and his braves have done well in bringing the cattle. This will provide meat for our people for many moons.”
At that moment, the chief saw Katasho and Pawaga drawing up and weaving their way through the crowd toward him. He knew by the way they had their dark eyes fixed on him that they wanted to speak to him. Motioning for those who were in their path to move, he waited until they stopped in front of him. “You want to speak to Chief Tando?”
The pair exchanged nervous glances, then Katasho met the chief’s probing gaze. “Pawaga and Katasho have sad message for Chief Tando.”
Every eye in the crowd was fixed on the pair of braves.
Tando frowned. “What is the sad message?”
It was Pawaga’s turn to speak. “Chief Tando, the white woman, Joyce, has died.”
Leela was standing close to her husband. She gasped at Pawaga’s words. “But Makota said she would be all right.”
Katasho looked into her shocked eyes. “Makota must have told you this because he thought she would be all right. Because he is working hard to save Yamda’s life, he told us to come and announce that Joyce is dead.”
Suddenly Leela’s eyes fell on Makota, who was coming toward the crowd from his tepee, his face a solemn mask. She pointed to him. “Tando, I fear that Yamda has also died.”
Everyone turned and watched as the elderly medicine man motioned for people to get out of his way. They made a path for him and he moved up to the chief, his dark, wrinkled features drawn.
Tando waited for him to speak.
Makota swallowed with difficulty. “Chief Tando, this is painful, but I must tell you that Makota could not save Yamda’s life. His wound was very deep, and he had lost too much blood. I am sorry.”
There were mournful sounds from the women as the men shook their heads in sorrow.
Tando laid a hand on the medicine man’s arm. “Makota need not be sorry. Tando knows he did everything he could to keep Yamda alive. Yamda will be given a hero’s burial.”
Makota nodded. “Katasho and Pawaga have informed the chief that Joyce has died?”
Tando closed his eyes and opened them again. “They did.”
Leela still had a shocked look in her eyes. The other women appeared to be in the same state.
Makota licked his lips. “For this, Chief Tando, Makota is also sorry. I could not bring her fever under control.”
Tando was noticing the grave looks on the faces of his squaw and the other women. He raised a hand and said, “Do not despair. One day we will find a way to capture another young white woman to be servant to Leela and the other squaws.”
The sun was setting over the mountains as Tharyn Logan was tidying up the office after closing time, while wondering what was taking Dane so long at the Bates ranch.
When she had the office ready for the new day tomorrow, she thought back over the day. The appendectomy she had performed on Bobby Thomas, of course, had been the most difficult thing she had done. She had been forced to send two patients back home who had appointments. Their ailments were more than she could handle. Six others had come in, and fortunately, their problems were minor and she had been able to take care of them. She had made new appointments for the two who needed to be seen by her husband.
Tharyn was getting a little nervous about Dane’s not having returned yet. She stepped out onto the boardwalk and looked southward for any sign of him riding in, but there was none. Must have run into complications with Jack Bates’s wound.
As she turned to reenter the office, the magnificent sunset caught her eye. She paused to take it in. Only the top rim of the fiery sun could be seen as it lowered behind the towering mountains. The western sky shone like a halo over the craggy peaks. Shafts of red-gold light fell with a long slant among the tall pines behind the town and cast long, uneven shadows on Main Street from the rooftops of the buildings.
She took a step toward the door and stopped when she heard a feminine voice call her name. Looking northward where the voice came from, she saw Betty Anderson hurrying toward her.
Smiling as she drew up, Betty said, “Hello, Tharyn. You look a bit weary. Hard day?”
Tharyn returned the smile. “You might say that. My husband has been gone since early this morning, caring for a rancher who was shot by Indians who were stealing his cattle. I even had to do an appendectomy on Bobby Thomas. You probably know the Thomases.”
“Of course,” said Betty, her eyes wide. “You did the surgery?”
“Uh-huh. Had to. The appendix was about to rupture.”
“How did it go?”
“Fine. Bobby’s home now with his parents.”
“Well, that’s good. Seems to me we have two beloved physicians in Central City.”
Tharyn shook her head vigorously. “No, no! You gave my husband that title, and we’ll just leave it at that.”
Betty laughed. “Oh, all right. If you say so. Well, sweet girl, I’d better keep moving. Got to get home and fix supper for Mike.”
“He feeling okay?”
“Oh yes. Dr. Dane is doing a good job helping him to get healed up. See you later.”
Tharyn smiled as Betty walked away. “See you later.”
She was about to turn and enter the office when she caught sight of a rider on a bay horse trotting down the street from the north.
The horse strongly resembled Pal. She squinted. “It is Pal! What’s Dane doing coming in from the north?”
Dane saw her standing on the boardwalk and waved. She waved back.
As Dane drew up and pulled rein, Tharyn said, “I was getting worried, darling. And now, I’m puzzled. Why are you coming into town from the north?”
Dismounting, he wrapped the reins around the hitch rail and folded her into his arms. “Long story, sweetheart. And quite a story too. I’ll tell you the whole thing over supper at whatever café you choose, okay?”
“Of course.”
Since people were moving by, he kissed her forehead, then the tip of her nose. “I need to replenish some supplies in my medical bag. Then we can close up shop and go to supper.”
Quickly, he untied the medical bag from the saddle, and they entered the office with their arms around each other’s waists. Tharyn asked, “How about Mr. Bates?”
“Had to remove a bullet from his chest. He was still unconscious when I left, but he’ll be all right. I’ll explain it in detail at supper.”
They went into the examining room. Dane set the medical bag down on the counter at the medicine cabinet and began replenishing his supply of medicine. “So how’d it go here today?”
“Well, I saw quite a few patients. Couple of them who had appointments will be back tomorrow. Guess I’d better tell you right now about Bobby Thomas.”
Keeping his attention on what he was doing, Dane asked, “Who’s Bobby Thomas?”
“You remember when we went over the long list of all of Dr. Fraser’s patients?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Remember the names Scott and Susan Thomas, right here in town?”
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�Oh. Sure.”
“Well, Bobby is their eleven-year-old son.”
“I recall now that they have a son.”
“Shortly after you rode away this morning, the Thomases brought Bobby in. He had appendicitis and the appendix was close to rupturing.”
Dane paused, turned, and looked at her. “Dr. Fraser was in Georgetown.”
“Uh-huh.”
“What did you do?”
“I had no choice. I did the appendectomy myself.”
Dane jumped. Eyes wide, he stammered, “Y-you did?”
“Yes.”
“And he’s all right?”
“Yes.”
A slow smile spread across Dane’s face. Pride was shining in his eyes. “Sweetheart, that was a courageous thing for you to do.”
“I don’t know if I’d call it courage or not, honey, but it was either make an attempt at the surgery or watch that boy die. I—I was pretty confident that I could do it successfully.”
“Well, of course. I’m sure you’ve assisted doctors at Mile High Hospital on a great number of appendectomies. You certainly knew what to do.”
She smiled. “Knowing what to do and actually doing it are two different things, but I had no idea when you would be back, so when I had explained my surgical nurse’s experience to the parents, and they gave their consent for me to do the surgery, I prayed for the Lord’s help. Dane, it was as if His hand was guiding mine while He clearly brought to remembrance the details of the countless times I had assisted surgeons through this same procedure.”
Dane could tell Tharyn was weary and knew that performing the appendectomy had taken its toll on her. “When a persons life is in your hands, it is a huge responsibility, love, and I’m sure you did a beautiful job.”
Tharyn smiled. “ ‘Beautiful’ might not be the word for it, but Bobby’s home with his parents, alive and breathing. I did promise them that when you got back, I would bring you to the house so you could check on him.”
Dane wrapped his arms around her and drew her close. “All right. I’ll be happy to go and see your patient.”
Tears filled Tharyn’s eyes and trickled down her cheeks as the weight of responsibility now fell from her shoulders.
Dane eased her back in his arms. “Why the tears, love?”
She sniffled. “I guess it’s just such a relief to have you take over. It was one of those things that I knew I must do, so I did it. But now that you’re here to take over, it’s such a relief. I guess the tears are just a sign of my relief.”
“I know a little about that, honey. I so well remember my first surgery in medical school. It wasn’t as serious as an appendectomy, but I was sure scared. At least I had other doctors right there beside me to move in if I needed help. I remember my relief when they said I had done a perfect job.”
Dane kissed the tip of her nose again. “You are a very brave little gal, and I’m so proud of you. Let’s go see Bobby right now. I’ll hitch Pal to the buggy. After I check on Bobby, you can relax at the café, and we’ll have a nice supper. Like I said, I’ll tell you the story of this long day while we eat.”
They locked up the office, and Dane helped Tharyn into the buggy. As they drove away, Dr. Dane Logan sent a thankful prayer to his heavenly Father for the young woman with whom he had been blessed.
TWELVE
When Scott and Susan Thomas were just finishing their supper, they heard the sound of a buggy pulling into the front yard.
Scott smiled, pushed back from the table, and rose to his feet. “Must be Mrs. Logan with the doctor.”
“I hope so,” said Susan, rising from her chair. “I want to meet him, of course, but mostly I’ll feel better when he examines Bobby. I very much appreciate what she did for Bobby, but since she isn’t a doctor, I’ll just feel better when her husband checks him over.”
“I understand, honey. I will, too.”
The pair left the kitchen and walked to the front door together. Just as Scott was pulling the door open, they both saw Tharyn being escorted up the porch steps by a man who carried a black medical bag.
Scott chuckled. “Well, Mrs. Logan, I see you brought your assistant with you!”
Dr. Dane laughed. “There’s more truth than fiction to that statement, Mr. Thomas.”
Tharyn laughed along with the Thomases. “I guess an introduction really isn’t necessary, but I’ll do it anyhow. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, this is my husband—” she grinned at Dane—“and my assistant, Dr. Dane Logan.”
Dr. Dane and Scott laughed while they shook hands, and then Susan offered her hand. The doctor took it gently and bowed. “I’m very happy to meet you, ma’am.”
“And I’m happy to meet you, Dr. Logan. Please come in. I think Bobby’s awake.”
As they were walking down the hall toward the rear of the house, Susan and Tharyn were side by side, with the men behind them. Susan said, “Mrs. Logan, I want to thank you again for saving Bobby’s life. You are truly a gallant lady.”
“You’re right about that, ma’am,” said Dr. Dane from behind. “The Lord gave me the exact lady I needed.”
When the foursome entered Bobby’s bedroom, the boy was awake and clear-eyed. He smiled up at Tharyn. “Hello, Mrs. Logan. You saved my life. Mama and Papa said I would have died if you hadn’t done the operation.”
Tharyn smiled, leaned over, and hugged his neck. “I’m just glad to see you doing so well, Bobby.” Letting go of him, she stood up and pointed at Dr. Dane with her graceful chin. “Bobby, this is my husband, Dr. Dane Logan.”
Gingerly, the boy raised his right hand toward the doctor. “I’m very glad to meet you, sir.”
Dr. Dane set his medical bag on the small table next to the bed and closed his hand over Bobby’s. “And I’m very glad to meet you, Bobby. I have to say that I’m quite proud of my wife. She certainly did save your life. She wants me to look at the incision and make sure she did it correctly. Okay?”
“Yes, sir. I think she did.”
“Me, too. But she still wants me to check it.”
Bobby waited patiently while the doctor carefully removed the bandage and studied the incision and the stitches while Tharyn and the Thomases looked on.
After a thorough examination, Dr. Dane smiled at Tharyn. “You did a perfect job, sweetheart.”
Tharyn let out a tiny sigh. “Thank you, Dr. Logan.”
Scott and Susan exchanged glances and chuckled.
Dr. Dane opened his medical bag. “I’ll go ahead and put on a new bandage. Once I’ve removed a bandage to look underneath, I’d rather put on a fresh one.”
Moments later, with a fresh bandage over the incision, Dr. Dane said, “Bobby, I’ll have Dr. Fraser check on you while Mrs. Logan and I are in Denver for the surgery we must do there.”
Bobby let his lips curve in a slight smile. “That’ll be all right. I really like Dr. Fraser. Since both of my grandfathers live back East and I don’t get to see them much, Dr. Fraser has me call him Grandpa.”
Dr. Dane nodded. “That’s him all right. He is a fine man. I’ve never met one of his patients who didn’t like him and respect him.”
Bobby smiled again. “Thank you, Dr. Logan, for coming to check on me.” He swung his gaze to Tharyn. “And thank you, Mrs. Logan, for doing such a good job on me.” As he spoke, he slowly lifted his arms up to embrace her.
Tharyn bent down and kissed his cheek. “I’ll come back with my husband to see you when we return from Denver.” She kissed his cheek again, then looked at Dane. “Well, darling, we’d best be going.”
Scott and Susan thanked both the Logans as they walked them outside to the buggy.
When Dane and Tharyn were eating supper at the café, he thoroughly explained about the Ute attack on the Bates family. He went on to describe Jack’s wound and because as a nurse she would be interested in the removal of the slug from Jack’s chest, he described it in detail.
Tharyn took a sip of hot tea and placed the cup back in its saucer. “So what do you think?
Will Jack be all right?”
“I believe so. He’ll be a long time healing, but once the wound is healed, he should be able to do ranch work again. The Wilsons are going to keep him at their house, expecting Dr. Fraser to come and check on him while you and I are in Denver. They are also going to take care of the burial arrangements for the rest of the Bates family.”
“Good neighbors.”
“That they are.”
“Were you able to discern if either the Wilsons or Jack Bates are Christians?”
“There was no indication of it. Nice people, the Wilsons, but there was nothing said that would lead me to believe they know the Lord. That’s something to pray about and work on in the future.”
“Yes. We certainly want to witness to them when the circumstances are better and bring them to Jesus if we can.” She took another sip of tea. “What a horrible thing to happen to that poor Bates family. I know the Indians were here in the West first and that when white men came, they were usurpers, but we’re here now. Oh, how I wish this Indian problem didn’t exist.”
“Me, too. Let me tell you some things I learned from Rex Wilson on the history of the Utes and the Arapahoes in the recent past.”
Tharyn listened intently as Dane gave her the details of the recent history of the Utes and Arapahoes, and how the Utes’ spokesman, Chief Ouray had tried to keep the peace between the Utes and the whites in Colorado.
She nodded. “I’ve heard enough from residents of Central City about Chief Ouray since I’ve been here to understand that he is very unhappy with the renegade chiefs and their warriors. They have told me that Chief Ouray has tried hard to keep the peace between his people and the white man.”
She sighed and shook her head. “Honey, something’s got to be done about these renegades. I hate to think of more ranchers facing the theft of their livestock and the guns of the renegade Indians.”
Dane was buttering his third bread roll. “Well, that brings up the second part of my story, and why I was riding into town from the north and was so late in getting home.”
He went on to tell her about riding to Fort Junction and informing Colonel Perry Smith about the incident at the Bates ranch. He also explained that Rex Wilson felt sure the band of hostile Utes who stole the Bates cattle and shot the family down were from the village run by the bloody Chief Tando, which was located some twenty miles southwest of Central City.