As the Wolfs and Genisis recuperated, gradually the town got back into its daily routine and business were reopening after being closed for a while. Every morning before opening the store, Nathan would go to the Sheriff's office to see if any news had come in from other towns. Shaking his head the sheriff told Nathan to face the fact that she is gone. Shouting at the sheriff that he could never let it go or the fact that a dam Indian took her and was having his way with her. Having heard enough of his ranting and running Garrett down, the sheriff ordered him to leave and go back to the store. When he has any information about their daughter he will come to him immediately.
Storming out of the office, Nathan went back to his store to open for the day's business which wasn't much. His wife was coming out of the kitchen to see who was coming in she looked at him but he shook his head then went behind the counter to get his apron. From the time he opened till noon there were only a few people who came and picked up some supplies. Turning the sign over to close he went to the cafe down the street for dinner. His wife had gone to a church meeting and would be back till later in the afternoon. On the way to the cafe Nathan saw two old mountain men coming out of the saloon Jeremiah and Albert.
“Jeremiah, Albert, how about I buy you a cup of coffee.” said Nathan.
“Sure and a plate of food too.” asked Jeremiah.
“I'll even buy a plate of food for the both you.” said Nathan who had a smile on his face.
Finding a table in the corner, Nathan and the two mountain men sat down to wait till the waitress came to take their order. The owner of the cafe came over with a coffee pot and three cups then filled all three cups. All three wanted the special of the day which was chicken and dumplings plus a slice of apple pie. Till their meal came the men talked about the town and what changes had occurred to it during their life time. Their meal was placed before them all three dug in with gusto for it smelt really good. As they were eating, Nathan started to ask a few questions about the surrounding hills of the town. The two mountain men looked at each other for they both new he wanted to know where Red's place was.
“Before you even ask the question, I know what you want and I won't betray another mountain man.” said Jeremiah.
“There is a trust among the mountain men.” said Albert.
“Then you know where Red's place is.” said an excited Nathan.
“Sure do. Been there many a times for coffee and a meal.” said Jeremiah.
“Then you can take me and some other men up there.” said Nathan.
“Sure, if you are going to visit them.” replied Albert with a knowing smile on his face.
“I'm not going to visit them. I am going to get my daughter back from that dirty Indian who abducted her.” said Nathan which was said with so much venom in his voice.
“No.” said both mountain men as they continued to eat their meal.
“Why not?”
“As I said before there is a trust among us mountain men. Find somebody else to show you the way” said an angry Jeremiah.
“Never mind, I will find somebody else to take me up there. Or I will find it myself.” said Nathan who threw some bills down to pay for the dinner then stormed out of the cafe.
Before going out the door, Albert shouted to him “It is a big area and if you take a wrong turn you will be lost for days trying to get out of there. Just leave the boy and Red alone. You can't do anything till this storm blows over. Go out now and you’re as good as dead. The safest way is up through the pass any other way would be too dangerous. The pass will be unable to go through till this storm blows over which will be another three weeks. It will take week trip to go one way and another week back.” Glancing back at the mountain men with a look of pure hate he stalked out of the cafe heading back to his store.
While this heated exchange was going the Carter brothers were sitting at a table by the window listening to their conversation. Paying for their meals they followed Nathan out the door behind him and headed for the nearest saloon to spread the news they heard.
Entering the smoky saloon they made a beeline to the table in the corner when Harold shouted out that he got some news to tell everybody. Once he got the attention of the crowd he quickly stated that the only way up to Red's place was through the pass. Then they could rescue the girl back from the redskin. Waiting a few minutes so this bit of info settle into their minds he spoke up and asked if anyone wanted to join in with Nathan to go after the Indian.
There were several shouts of ‘I will’ and ‘about time’ plus a lot of threats to whip the Indian. James informed the crowd that in three weeks the pass will be ready to travel through and any one that wanted to come was to meet in front of the general store. When there was a break in the storm, the Carter brothers were going to let Hart and Tom know. As they were walking out of the saloon, they headed to the hotel to see how Carl was doing and telling him the news. They hadn't see him for a while and decided to cheer him up a bit.
After spending almost three weeks at the doc's office, Carl was moved to the hotel to rest more before going back to Hart's ranch. The doc told him that he would have limited use of the arm and it would be another two weeks before the bandages came off. After receiving the news about his arm, Carl was having second thoughts on going back to the ranch. He wouldn't be able to do half of the chores he did before and didn't want to be a burden to Hart. Besides Hart's idea was that if you can't do the work move on and he was tired of drifting from place to place. With all the time on his hands he was thinking about the girl that was abducted and wondering how she was doing. Also he was thinking on what the sheriff told him last night when he stopped in to see how he was doing. Sheriff Mac told him that the doc explained about his shoulder that was when the sheriff said he had a position open for a deputy in about two weeks’ time.
Finishing his coffee he was about to take a short nap when James and Harold came into his room with some exciting news. For the next hour they gave him an update on what was happening in the town and surrounding areas. When they told him about the two old mountain men saying that the pass was the only way up to Red's place then they could finish the deed. Carl noticed that they were bounding with excitement and anxious to go tell Hart. Within the next fifteen minutes they left and he drifted off to sleep with a lot on his mind.
Stepping out of his office Sheriff Mac was about to do his walk around the town when he notice several men coming out of the saloon. Out in the street all the men nodded their heads then shook hands before splitting up and going their separate ways. One of the men saw Nathan sweeping the snow off his porch and went to see him to inform him about the news. After exchanging a few words Nathan shook his hand but it wasn't the hand shake that bothered the Sheriff but the evil smile on his face. Looking back at the saloon he saw Jeremiah and Albert come strolling out of the saloon.
“Jeremiah, Albert, hold up a minute. I want to talk to you” said Sheriff Mac who pulled his collar up to ward off the chill that went down his spine.
“Afternoon, Sheriff.” replied Jeremiah who looked at Albert with a knowing nod of his head.
“Why were all of those men meeting in the saloon at this time of day.” asked the Sheriff.
“I am going to be honest with you, Mac. Those men are up to no good and that storekeeper is spurring them on.” said Albert who was pointing to Nathan.
“They want Albert and me to take them to Red's cabin to see if his daughter is there. They plan to kill that boy for touching his daughter.” said Jeremiah. “In three weeks’ time the pass will be settle enough to get through. So I am going to stay here and keep an eye on those men while Albert is leaving as soon as possible to warn Red.”
“That is a good idea. You said the pass will be ready to travel in three weeks, I'm coming along to keep things in order.” said the Sheriff. “For I'm planning to protect Garrett till the very end and the truth has been found out.”
“When I get there I'm throwing my gun behind Garrett and that old coot.” said Jeremiah.
After talking to the two old mountain men some more and getting more detail as to what happened in the saloon. The Sheriff thanked them for everything and told them that the next time they were in he would buy them a meal at the cafe. Both mountain men nodded their head in quick agreement for they would never pass up a good meal. Then he headed to the general store with quick angry steps for he had enough of Nathan going behind his back. Opening the door, he stormed into the store and without thinking slammed the door which startled Louise who dropped a bag of sugar.
“Did you have to slam the door, Sheriff” said Nathan who glared at his wife for dropping that bag of sugar.
“I heard that you and some men are going up to Red's cabin in three weeks’ time to see if your daughter is there.” stated Sheriff Mac. “I'll be coming along to keep everything in order.”
“There is no need for you to come along.” replied Nathan. “We'll keep everything under control.”
“Everybody in town knows that he has her up in that dirty cabin.” said Louise who looked to her husband for approval.
“No, you don't know that. Did you ever think that may be somebody else was out to hurt her and that Garrett rescued her? Sometimes I wish that you folks never came to this town. Your attitude towards native people is like a cancerous growth that keeps spreading and infecting other people.” said Sheriff as he left the store slamming the door behind him again.
While Louise cleaned up the mess from dropping the sugar bag and reorganizing the shelf to make it look better. Nathan walked to the store door to see the Sheriff walk away towards his office. Looking out the window down the main street he said justice will finally be done.
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