by Joel Baker
“If this drought doesn’t end,” James said. “Nothing is going to survive. Good luck.”
Frank and his men mounted and rode back toward the southern ridge. Dalton rode up next to James and looked down at the carcass.
“What did you think of Frank and his men?” James asked.
“They were looking for something,” Dalton said. “But they weren’t looking for cattle.”
“Why do you say that?” James asked.
“Ranch hands don’t go looking for stray cattle without lariats, chaps, or gloves,” Dalton said. “All of them had their guns tied down, like Frankie boy. They looked more like a bunch of bank robbers, than ranch hands.”
****
Matthew, Molly and Jessica rode down by James and Dalton. It was almost noon, and getting hot, quickly. The pack horse followed quietly behind Jessica, carrying their supplies. There was no way they would reach the source of the river by nightfall.
“What should we do now?” Molly asked. “Will those riders head back to the Walker ranch or what?”
“They didn’t have any supplies or gear,” Dalton said. “I don’t see any way for them to follow us. They might swing over, and visit our place on the way back. Shannon, Fala, and little Jason are there alone. I think we should make sure they are heading straight back to their place.”
“You’re right Dalton,” James said. “Why don’t you and Matthew trail them for a while? Make sure they’re headed to their place, and not ours. Molly, Jessica and I will go ahead and set up camp before dark. You and Matthew can catch up later.”
“We’ll take Banner with us,” Matthew said. “The others can go with you.”
Max, Matthew said, I need Banner to go with us.
Banner trotted after Dalton and Matthew, in the direction of the riders. Max and the other dogs turned and headed west, following James, Molly and Jessica down the dry river bed.
***
Both Dalton and Matthew hung back, not wanting to get close to the men they followed. Banner went ahead of them.
Banner, can you see them? Matthew asked.
Yes, Banner said. They are riding over the south ridge.
They’re headed home, Matthew said. Come on back.
Banner came trotting back to where Dalton and Matthew waited. Matthew dismounted and gave Banner a drink of water from his canteen.
You have a son, don’t you? Banner asked.
His name is Jason, Matthew said. He’s three years old.
He’s that old, Banner said. We didn’t know.
The question seemed odd to Matthew. He was surprised the dogs didn’t know everything about the Colters. Banner sounded a little melancholy about Jason.
I’m sorry you don’t spend more time with us Banner, Matthew said. I think you would like Jason. He is a good boy. I think will grow to be a fine man.
Can he talk with us? Banner asked.
We aren’t sure yet, Matthew said. Maybe you could try and talk with him next time you’re around.
Banner sat staring off in the distance, not replying.
****
An hour before sunset, James signaled that it was time to make camp. The dogs quickly cleared the area of snakes and scorpions. James built a campfire and set up the tents. Jessica took the dogs to explore the area around their camp. Molly started supper.
“How’s our water?” James asked, looking at Molly as she set a pot of water to heat on the fire.
“We’ve got enough, I think,” Molly said.
“Did you ever wonder how we got to this point in our life?” James asked.
Molly looked at James and smiled. She knew exactly what James was thinking, after all these years. They were both starting to feel their age and the miles they’d traveled together.
“It’s been some trip,” Molly said, shaking her head. “I remember a young man in buckskins, almost falling down the stairs in a hotel in Virginia. He was something, I can tell you. He took my breath away.”
“I remember a beautiful red head,” James said smiling. “Then there was a certain low cut, grey dress. You were the reason I fell down those stairs.”
“I also remember camping by a lake,” Molly said also smiling. “What a glorious time it was.”
“Was it that long ago?” James asked.
“Yes and no, my love,” Molly said quietly. “It was almost a lifetime ago. Yet I remember it all as if it were only yesterday. The touch, the feel, the fire, the heat, I remember it all. I love you so much for it.”
James held Molly close to him. They watched the sun disappear behind the mountains. They both knew their time together was closer to the end than the beginning. But as for today, it was enough to be there together.
****
It was dark when Dalton, Matthew, and Banner returned. Max went out to meet them as they rode into camp. Max seemed agitated to Matthew and he wasn’t sure why. If he could get Banner off by himself, Matthew thought he could find out why.
After a hot meal of beans and bacon everyone moved over by the campfire. Even the dogs sat around the perimeter of the group. James cleared his throat before speaking.
“Now that we know the men from the Walker place have headed home,” James started. “I thought we should talk about our situation. Molly? Anything you want to say.”
Everyone turned and looked at Molly. Matthew noted the dogs turned their heads to look at her also. They seemed to be listening carefully, although neither Molly nor James could talk with the dogs. He looked at Jessica and thought she must be relaying the conversation to them.
“In eight years, we’ve never seen it this dry,” Molly began. “It hasn’t rained in months. But this drought really started a couple of years ago. We had almost no snow last winter, and not much the year before. We live in a near desert environment, and depend on melting snow and glaciers for the water running through our canyon. Now the water has gone away. Why has Colter Creek gone dry?”
“I think someone must have diverted the water,” Dalton said.
“It wasn’t the Walkers,” James said. “We’re both out here looking around. Neither one of us know what happened to our water.”
“Diverted or not,” Molly continued. “We need to consider what we’re going to do if the rain fails to return soon.”
“Jessica,” Dalton said. “Do the dogs know what is going on?”
Jessica looked at Max and then the other dogs.
“All they keep saying,” Jessica said. “Is the water is in the ground.”
“What about that, Dalton?” Molly said. “You measured the water in our wells?”
“There’s not much left,” Dalton said. “It may last through the fall. I’m afraid they’ll go dry before spring. We need rain and soon.”
Matthew looked at his parents. Molly and James seemed older somehow. In their early sixties, it had been a long journey for them. He knew they were not looking forward to starting over again. They looked tired tonight. Fala’s parents were also concerned about having to leave Colter Canyon. They had felt safe and secure with the Colters for the first time in their lives.
“May I make a suggestion?” Matthew asked.
Everyone waited for him to speak. The quiet was broken only by the pop and crackle of the campfire. He missed his wife Fala and their little boy Jason. The smell of wood smoke reminded him of the cozy warm cabin he and Fala had built when they were first married. It was a sturdy cabin, although it lacked some of the amenities a skilled builder might have added. He wished he was there now with Fala.
“I think for now,” Matthew said. “Dad and mom should take Jessica and Max back home. This trip is important, but doesn’t need all of us roaming around out here. I also don’t like the idea of the thugs from the Walker place, this close to Colter Canyon with all of us out here. I worry about Shannon, Jason, and Fala. Dalton and I will be able to move quicker and be home sooner.”
“I don’t want to go back,” Jessica said, pouting. “I don’t see why I can’t go with you.”
“Jessica,” Dalton said. “Your mother will need your help. I’ll feel better knowing you and Max are there to look after everyone.”
“Okay,” Jessica said, obviously not happy. “But I think it’s a really stinky idea.”
Matthew thought both James and Molly were pleased to be returning home, even if Jessica wasn’t. He thought it would take two more days to reach the source of their water. They should be home in a week. With that, everyone turned in.
Chapter 3
Molly, James and Jessica rode out of camp at first light. Max followed them to into the rising sun. The other dogs left camp a short time later headed west. Matthew wasn’t exactly sure where Banner and the dogs were going. A short time later Matthew and Dalton followed them west, riding in the dry river bed.
The horses walked slowly side by side. The canteens bounced empty against the saddles. If they didn’t find water today, both men and horses could be in trouble. Dalton was concerned they might have to start for home this evening.
It was late afternoon when Banner spoke to Matthew.
Water, Banner said. We found water close to a mountain.
“It looks like the dogs may have found water,” Matthew said.
“How far away is it?” Dalton asked.
“The dogs have a hard time with distances,” Matthew said. “He said the water is close to a mountain. That doesn’t help us much. I’ll have him find us.”
Banner, Matthew said.
Yes, Banner answered.
Meet us at the dry riverbed, Matthew said. We’ll follow you to the water.
“He’s going to meet us up ahead,” Matthew said. “He’ll take us to the water.”
Just over an hour later, Matthew saw Banner standing on the top of the river bed bank. The other two dogs were not with him. The men rode up to where Banner stood and followed him to the north. It was hard for Dalton or Matthew to tell how far away the mountains were. They looked close, but that could mean an hour or a day’s ride.
An hour of day light remained when the two men followed Banner to a small pool of water. It was on a small plateau just below the east side of the mountain range. There was something odd about the pool of water. The source of water feeding Colter Creek must be somewhere close by. Dalton thought it might be just to the southwest. This didn’t explain the pool of water in front of them.
“It’s awfully little, isn’t it?” Dalton asked.
The pool of black water was no more than three feet across, and almost perfectly round. The pool looked like black glass and was smooth as a mirror. Matthew knelt down and leaned over the water, studying his reflection. He thought he looked old for his thirty years. He stuck his arm in the water as far as he could reach. There was no bottom and the water was very cold.
“I’m sure this has to be sourced from a glacier,” Matthew said, pulling his arm out of the water.
“Any idea how deep it is?” Dalton asked.
“Deeper than I can reach,” Matthew said. “Get your rope and tie a rock on the end. Let’s lower it down and see if we reach bottom.”
Dalton retrieved the rope and tied a large rock on the end. The rock quickly disappeared into the dark pool. About ten feet down the rock scraped on a ledge, before moving to the left and continuing deeper into the pool. Dalton ran out of rope at thirty feet, and pulled the rock back to the surface.
“The pool seems like a tube of some sort,” Dalton said. “I think it jogged to the left about ten feet down.”
“It seemed like that to me, too,” Matthew said. “The walls of the pool are solid rock. This is weird.”
“We’re losing daylight quickly,” Dalton said. “Let’s build a fire. I suspect this is the local watering hole for the wildlife in the area. We may want to move a hundred yards or so from here to make camp. I don’t want to be between the water and a thirsty mountain lion in the dark.”
****
On the way home Jessica noticed Max was limping again. His back right leg seemed to be bothering him.
Max, are you hurt? Jessica asked.
Yes, Max answered. My leg pains me.
Did you injure it? Jessica asked.
No,” Max said. I’m just old. I hurt it years ago. My leg is still mad at me.
Do you want to rest? Jessica asked.
No, Max said. I’ll be alright once we reach home.
Jessica knew Max must be hurt. The dogs never showed pain unless they were seriously injured.
I’m going to rest, Jessica said.
Max turned back towards where Jessica sat on a rock by the dry riverbed. Jessica had known since she was a little girl, Max was different from the other dogs. Most of the dogs could transform into hideous killing creatures under extreme duress. Max had been able to transform at will. He showed none of the apparent side effects the other dogs experienced.
But this ability had come with a cost. The Colter dogs had been genetically engineered for many enhanced abilities. One of the positive side effects was long life. Their life span could stretch to thirty years or longer. Yet Max was rapidly aging. He was little more than ten, and already was beginning to gray around the muzzle. It was taking him longer to do things. Even his responses to Jessica were slow in coming.
It frightened Jessica that she didn’t know why Max was aging. Her mother had told her that the dogs would occasionally evolve on their own. Whenever a major change to the dogs occurred, the older dogs seemed to die off more quickly. None of that explained Max’s sudden downturn. Jessica was worried.
Max came over and sat down next to where Jessica rested. Max leaned and pressed heavily against Jessica as only a large dog can. Jessica put her arm around Max’s neck, as he stared toward the shadows, cast by the afternoon sun.
***
Molly and James rested some distance ahead of Jessica and Max. They sat and watched a dust devil blow brown dirt across the mesa and down toward the dry river bed. Molly gave out a large sigh.
“What’s wrong?” James asked.
“I’m sick of the dirt,” Molly said. “I’m sick of everything being brown. I’m sick of feeling dirty and gritty. I’m tired of waking up with dirt from the ceiling in my bed. What water we get, is tepid and cloudy.”
“Once it rains…” James said.
“Once it rains, we’ll be slipping and sliding in a sea of mud,” Molly said, now standing. “It will take years for any ground cover to return. The buffalo have gone, god knows where, and it takes a three day ride to find any game to shoot.”
“What can I do?” James asked.
“I’m not finished!” Molly said. “You always want to jump right to fixing something.”
“Okay,” James said. “What else is bothering you?”
“The dogs,” Molly said. “Something is definitely wrong there.”
“Like what?” James asked.
“Max is turning into an old dog, right in front of our eyes,” Molly began. “We always have Banner and the same three or four other male dogs around us. Where are the females? Where are the puppies?”
“I assume the dogs moved them to where there is food and water,” James said.
“Well, they have more sense than we do,” Molly replied.
Both Molly and James were quiet for a while. They looked west at the same time and saw Jessica and Max approaching. Molly grabbed the reins of her horse and climbed into the saddle. James followed as Jessica, Max, and Molly headed for home in the fading light of the setting sun.
****
The next morning broke late with the sun behind the ridges to the east. Dalton found two dead rattlesnakes lying next to their fire pit. Banner and the other dogs must have been guarding them during the night. The water was beginning to boil when Matthew woke up. The sun was shining in his eyes.
“Matthew, I’ve been thinking,” Dalton said. “You’re the only one who has been to the glacier feeding Colter Creek. Are we close to it?”
Matthew had visited the source of Colter Creek several years ago. He and
Fala had treated it as a vacation and a chance to get reacquainted, after the birth of their son Jason. They’d traveled slowly and camped along the creek in the evening. It had been a wonderful trip. There were rainy days, when he and Fala never left the tent.
“If we could fly like birds, we’d be close,” Matthew said. “There’s an enormous pile of round rocks filling the gorge directly in front of the glacier. The rock pile stretch for over a mile. Our horses would break a leg if they tried to walk over those stones. We might too.”
“Well?” Dalton asked. “How do we get to the glacier?”
“We have about a half day’s ride to the south and then up and over a divide,” Matthew said.
“The sooner we get started the better,” Dalton said. “What’s for breakfast?”
“Looks like rattlesnake,” Matthew said.
After they’d eaten, Dalton and Matthew broke camp and headed to the south. They followed the line of mountains. Banner was the only dog with them.
Banner, where are the other dogs? Matthew asked.
I told them to follow Max and Jessica, Banner said. They are to watch over them.
You think Max needs to be taken care of now? Matthew asked.
He grows old, Banner said. We follow him, but he does not lead.
Is Jessica a problem? Matthew asked.
She speaks only to Max, Banner said.
Do you follow Max? Matthew asked.
Always, Banner said.
Does he tell you what to do? Matthew asked.
Never, Banner said.
Matthew rode on in silence. He tried to figure out what Banner had just told him. He thought it was important, but didn’t know why. The implications of what Banner had said changed everything about the relationship between the Colters and the dogs. He needed to talk to Shannon as soon as they got back. Nothing was as it seemed.
****
Fala and Shannon met the other Colters on their return. Jason ran ahead of the two women to James, who reached down and swung the little boy up in front of him on his saddle. Jason hooped and hollered with the thrill of riding with his Grandpa.
Jessica jumped from her horse and raced to give her mother a big hug. Shannon kissed Jessica and then lifted little Jason to the ground.