by Joel Baker
“How’d it go?” Fala asked. “Should I go change into my swimming suit?”
“Oh, sure,” Shannon said. “As if you and Matthew use swimming suits...”
“I don’t need to hear this, girls,” James called, walking away.
“Matthew and Dalton are trying to find out why the glaciers aren’t supplying water,” Molly said. “And don’t be such a prude, James. I can remember…”
“Okay,” James interrupted. “I surrender! Let’s get something to eat. I’m starving.”
****
Banner was waiting on the last rise before the valley of the glacier. Dalton and Matthew crossed the rim of the valley, and started down to the front of the ice. As they reached the front edge of the ice, the water flow seemed normal.
Downstream water from other ice flows merged and gained speed following a steep slope. A hundred yards further downstream the rushing water disappeared around a bend in the canyon.
Picking their way carefully over rocks and ice, the men could hear a distant roar. They came around the bend and pulled up at the edge of a massive waterfall. They watched as the water disappeared into a vast hole in the earth.
Neither Dalton nor Matthew could hear anything above the roar of the falling water. Matthew motioned for them to go back the way they came.
“I wasn’t expecting that,” Matthew said, a somewhat confused look on his face.
“It looks like a sink hole opened up under the old river bed,” Dalton said. “There’s probably a massive cavern acting as a catch basin underground.”
Dalton led his horse to the stream and filled their canteens in the cold fast flowing water.
“It must be coming out somewhere,” Matthew said.
“Not necessarily,” Dalton said, standing up. “It depends on the size of the underground cavern. The waterhole we camped by last night, must be ten or more miles from here. That is one big cave system. Of course, it could also be coming out at a different spot. Either way, none of this helps our current situation.”
“What should we do?” Matthew said, obviously concerned.
“I don’t know about you,” Dalton said. “But I’m going home. I miss Shannon, Jessica, and my bed.”
Both men mounted their horses and headed back the way they came.
Banner trailed a short distance behind the two men. He thought about the changes that were coming. He decided this whole water thing fitted nicely into what he and the other dogs had planned for the future.
Chapter 4
Banner returned with the men to the Colter homestead. The next day Banner told Max they needed to hunt and would be back with food for all of them. The dogs were used to going without food or water for long stretches of time. There were limits however. Max was not getting the amount or kind of food he required. He was weakening from hunger. While Max would never complain, it was noticeable to Banner in small ways.
The next morning Banner saw Max and Jessica watching as he and the other dogs headed toward the northeast. They ran at a steady pace eating up the miles. As the sun reached a spot directly overhead, the dogs entered a small secluded valley.
They found a cluster of small bushes surrounding a small spring of water from deep within the earth. Barely a trickle, the pool of water was enough to sustain a small warren of rabbits, mice, and other small game. The dogs shared a drink of water and several rabbits. Banner instructed the dogs to drive off other predators while waiting for his return.
When he returned they would kill food for Max and head back to the Colters. The other dogs sought shelter from the sun and began their vigil of the valley. Banner headed northeast to the gathering. He set a steady pace eating the miles up without stopping.
****
“The water’s not coming back,” Dalton said. “At least it’s not coming back anytime soon.”
James looked around the room before standing to speak. The reality of what Dalton and Matthew had found was dawning on those sitting in the circle.
Matthew’s wife, Fala, was studying her parents. Both Tate and Nina looked concerned. They were refugees when they first arrived in Colter Canyon. They’d brought little Jacy, Copa, and their beautiful daughter Fala. It would be hard on them to lose the security of their home and have to leave again.
Molly had a worried look as she studied her husband James. They were both in their sixties and feeling the years. She waited to see what others thought about the possibility of leaving Colter Canyon forever. Little Jason sat on her lap, also looking around at the circle of faces. Both Jacy, who was now nineteen and his sixteen year old sister Copa, watched with anticipation.
“As I see it,” James began. “One of our choices is to stay in Colter Canyon and wait for the water. The other is to relocate out of the drought area. Of these choices, staying where we are seems to be out of the question. We’ll not last through the next winter. If we have to move, now is the best time. If we leave now, we can relocate and still lay in enough supplies to make it through the coming winter.”
“Where would we go?” Fala asked.
“I think the only choice is north,” James said. “We’d have to travel light and fast. We don’t have the wagons to take everything with us, or the teams of horses to pull them. I suggest we use travois with only two or three outriders.”
“Won’t we be entering the territories of hostile tribes,” Nate asked.
“We may,” James said. “But hard times call for hard decisions. Besides, most of the tribes have followed the buffalo herds as they migrated southeast. We haven’t seen a herd of any size around here in almost a year.”
Dalton and Shannon sat quietly off to one side watching the exchange. James answered several more questions before taking a seat by Molly. Jason climbed over onto his grandpa’s lap.
Shannon stood to speak and looked at her family. This was going to be harder than she expected. They’d been in Colter Canyon for eight years now and heading out into the unknown was a game young people play. She knew it would be hard on her parents as well as Nate and Nina.
“I agree we have to head north,” Shannon began. “I’m also concerned about our loss of the dogs. It’s been almost two years since we’ve seen a puppy. I don’t know where they went, and what is worse, I don’t know why they went. Jessica?”
Jessica, who was looking at the ceiling, suddenly looked at her mother.
“Ask Max if we went north,” Shannon said. “Would we be able to rejoin with the dogs?”
Jessica was quiet for a few minutes and no one else made a sound.
“Max said the dogs are in the north,” Jessica answered. “He also said the dogs are different now.”
“What does he mean ‘different’?” Shannon asked.
“Max says that there are now many dogs,” Jessica said. “Too many dogs for them to all live in one place.”
“Is Max still their leader?” James asked.
There was an extended period of time while Max and Jessica talked. Apparently Max’s position in the pack was difficult to explain. Everyone in the Colter circle waited for Jessica to respond. Finally she just shrugged her shoulders. She and Max left the room and went out on the porch to sit.
“I say we head north,” Shannon said. “Anybody disagree?”
“Well,” James said, looking around for any sign of disagreement. “It looks like we head north. Let’s try to make the move in a week. We’re going to have a race with old man winter. That’s a race we can’t lose.”
****
Sometime ago Banner and his brothers concluded Max was no longer in a position to lead the dogs. His total commitment to Jessica was unnatural and of concern. He was showing signs of premature aging that no one could explain. Banner decided it would be necessary to take action to protect the pack.
Max provided Banner the opportunity a month later. The dogs knew a drought was coming. Banner was told to disperse the dogs to protect them. Banner sent three of his brothers to the north, east and west. He divided the females and
pups evenly between the three groups. Each was to establish a protected reserve for their group.
Banner had instructed his brothers that each female should have no more than one litter per year. At no point should the health of the female be put at risk. As a large dog breed, litters typically ran between five and six pups. The dogs were told to come together once a year. It was to be called the gathering.
The gathering was held when the sun stopped traveling north and began moving south again. They met at a place the same distance for all three groups to travel. The dogs called the gathering place Stone Faces.
Banner was usually the last to arrive and it was true again this year. He managed to cover the distance from Colter Canyon to the gathering in just over two days. He arrived well after the moon set, exhausted and sore. He drank from a nearby spring and fell into deep sleep until sunrise. Banner awoke and joined his three brothers at the edge of the clearing.
They discussed the condition of each pack and the growing need to split the packs to many sub-packs. The packs grew at a much faster rate than when they lived close to the Colters. The availability of land, game, and water had apparently freed the dogs to expand at a greater pace. Currently they were ten times the original pack size and growing rapidly.
Banner approved the split of the packs. His brothers knew to maintain contact and make sure the sub-packs remained a part of the larger group. Each brother brought forth the dogs who would head the sub-packs for Banner to inspect. All knew they were a small part of the larger pack and each could be called upon to act in concert with the pack.
Banner told his brothers that no sub-packs would be formed except with his approval at the gathering. Banner also told them that if anything kept him from attending the gathering, each of the brothers would assume leadership based on age. All three of Banner’s brothers were concerned about the drought in the south, and the impact on the Colters.
Will James Colter move the family north? West asked.
They will talk about it as a group, Banner said. I think they may decide to join us in the north.
What choice do they have? East asked. There is no water or food.
None, Banner said.
Then what is there to talk about? North said.
You have been away from the Colters for a long time, Banner said. They are big on talking.
We need them, East said. We are not complete without the Colters. The pups are slow to communicate without Shannon or Matthew. We need them.
What about Jessica? West asked. Isn’t she a talker?
Yes, Banner said. But now she only talks with Max. Matthew has a son named Jason who may be a talker.
How is Max? North asked.
He ages, Banner said. He knows I will follow until he can lead no more. At the same time he told me to do what is necessary. It is a system we have worked out.
We need our pups to bond with the talkers, West said. They need to feel the warm touch of a Colters hand and mind. If not, they may revert. They need it soon.
****
After the gathering, Banner returned to the cluster of small bushes surrounding a small spring of water. He and the other two dogs brought food for Max back to Colter Canyon. It was three days before the scheduled move north.
Banner discussed what happened at the gathering with Max. Then he sought out Matthew. Shannon was bent over with her back to the door. She was stuffing everything they owned into an enormous duffle bag.
Shannon, Banner said. Can you hear me?
Shannon stood up and whirled around facing Banner, a shocked look on her face.
Banner! Shannon said. You scared the crap out of me!
I’m sorry, Banner said. I’ll come back after you clean yourself.
No, no, Shannon said, smiling. It is just a way of saying I was surprised. Banner! You’re talking to me!
It was time, Banner said. Max discouraged us from communicating with anyone.
It had been a least a year since Shannon had talked with the dogs. She had missed it so. It was a need felt deeply, and was a constant longing that went unfulfilled. She took a quick step toward Banner and stopped suddenly.
Banner, Shannon said, tears in her eyes. Would it be all right if I gave you a hug?
Banner sat looking up at Shannon.
I would like that, Banner said.
Shannon knelt in front of Banner and placed his head on her right shoulder. She hugged him tightly around the neck, patting him gently on his massive shoulders and back. She felt the weight of his massive head on her shoulder, and his soft muzzle pushed gently against her neck.
Thank you, Shannon said, ending the moment.
She stood looking down at Banner, wiping at her eyes.
Matthew told me you had talked with him, Shannon said. I so hoped you would talk with me too.
I need to talk with Matthew now, Banner said. Do you know where he is?
He and Fala went to town to get supplies for the trip north, Shannon said. They’ll be back by this evening.
I need to talk to all the Colters, Banner said. Can you or he arrange that?
Yes, Shannon said.
Make it tomorrow, Banner said. Make it when the sun is directly overhead.
I’ll set it up, Shannon said, a big smile on her face. And Banner, thank you.
****
The Colters gathered in the family room before the scheduled time for the meeting. Shannon went over her encounter with Banner. Matthew was careful to explain how important it was that Shannon and he could again communicate directly with the dogs. Jessica and Max came in shortly before Banner and his brothers. With both family and dogs in the room, the place was crowded and hot.
Shannon, will you translate? Banner asked.
“I will translate,” Shannon said out loud.
“Greetings, Colter family,” Shannon translated. “Max has decided that it was time for the Colter dogs to again talk directly with you.”
Everyone turned and looked at Max and Jessica sitting off to one side of the room. Jessica didn’t know what to do with the attention, so she smiled and waved her little hand. Max sat there looking dignified.
“Three years ago,” Shannon translated. “Max foresaw the impact of the coming drought. He sent all the dogs to the north. Banner and his two of his brothers stayed here.”
“We then waited to see what the Colters would do,” Shannon said. “We hoped you would leave this dry and desolate country. It is our understanding that you have decided to go north. Is that true, James?”
James was startled that a question was directed at him specifically.
“Yes,” James said. “We should be ready to leave in three days. Do I look at you or Banner when I answer?”
“Either one,” Shannon said laughing with everyone else.
After it quieted down, Shannon looked at Banner for several minutes.
“Okay,” Shannon said. “I think I got it. The dogs have prospered in the north. Their numbers have grown. They now live in three packs, called East, West, and North. They have a special place where they hope we will settle. It lays to the north and east. It has everything we will need to settle and raise our offspring… I mean children. It is a place where all the dogs come together. The dogs call this place Stone Faces. They want us to go there to live.
Chapter 5
James, Molly, Matthew, and Shannon stood in front of a massive table. They were studying an old wrinkled map. They were trying to figure out where the dogs lived and how long it would take to get there.
“I think we should plan on it taking about four weeks for the trip north,” Matthew said.
“Why should it take four weeks?” Shannon asked.
“My guess is the dogs settled somewhere in Montana,” Matthew said. “It might be South Dakota. Either way it should be less than six hundred miles.”
James cut a piece of string six inches long and laid it on the map. He stretched it from Pueblo Colorado north.
“Looks like it’s going to be Broadus
, Montana,” James said, shaking his head.
“Seriously James,” Molly asked. “Broad Ass, Montana?”
“No, not Broad Ass,” James said. “I said Broadus. This map is pre-Go Back. It’s probably a ghost town now with tumble weed blowing down the streets.”
“It could be fifty or a hundred miles north or south of there,” Matthew said.
“Didn’t Banner say it was to the north and east?” Shannon asked.
“I believe he did,” Matthew said.
James rotated the string on an axis eastward, positioning the end of the string on Deadwood, South Dakota.
“Well, moving the string toward the northeast puts us somewhere between the Black Hills and the Badlands,” James said. “It could be Deadwood.”
“Now you’re just making up names to scare me,” Molly said. “Let me look at that map.”
Molly pushed James out of the way and bent over studying the map. It was so worn it was difficult to read.
“Shannon?” Molly said. “Get me the magnifying glass out of the bureau will you?”
Molly considered the magnifying glass a prized possession. It had belonged to her father and was one of two things she had managed to save. The other was the family bible. Shannon handed the glass to Molly, who studied the map.
“I apologize, James,” Molly said. “Those are actual places. I hope they’re more pleasant than their names. What a minute what’s this green blob thing? It’s all faded. I can’t make it out.”
Shannon took the glass from Molly and bent over the map examining the green blob Molly was pointing to on the map.
“Matthew?” Shannon asked, without looking up. “What was it the dogs called the place where they want us to settle?”
“I think it was Stone Faces,” Matthew said. “Yes. It was definitely Stone Faces.”
Shannon studied the map a few minutes longer and then stood up smiling.
“Well, I know where we’re headed,” Shannon said, smiling.
“Where?” James asked.
“On the map,” Shannon said. “That faded green blob is labeled Mount Rushmore National Park.”