********************************************
Chapter #17: A Camping We Will Go
********************************************

It proved to be a good idea to keep the camping trip from JD at least. Since finding out about the trip, JD had been driving everyone nuts with his constant questions. Chris was relieved when the wagon was finally packed and they were on their way.

Chris had decided that going to Moose Lake would be the best bet. There was plenty of wide-open space for the tents and wagon but it also had a small grove of trees that were perfect for adventurous young boys. Chris could still remember the trips he and Buck used to go on with their pa. Their pa taught them how to fish and swim in Moose Lake and Chris wanted Vin and JD to have some good memories of the area also.

The caravan stopped a few times to allow the animals to rest and for little boys to run off some energy. JD’s constant bounce finally slowed to nothing as the sway of Buck’s horse put him to sleep. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when the chatter stopped. The rest of the ride to the Lake was quieter, with Vin asking questions or Ezra complaining about being forced to go camping. Brotherly banter could be heard around the laughing. As they pulled into the clearing that would be their camp sight for the next week, JD woke up and immediately wanted down to explore.

"Now hold on Little Bit. You need to help set up the campsite before you can go off. You also need to hear the camp rules so settle down." Buck said with mirth. Buck dismounted and helped JD down.

"What do I need to do Buck?" JD asked.

"Let’s go see where Chris wants to start. Okay?"

"Okay." JD started to bounce over to Chris. Chris smiled when he saw his baby brother head his way. He only had a split second before JD was in his arms chattering about helping. He was talking so fast that Chris had no idea what he was trying to say.

"Whoa, Sprout. Breath." Chris smiled.

JD took a couple of breaths and was about to start again when Chris put his hand gently over JD’s mouth.

"Slowly JD." Chris removed his hand and JD spoke slowly at first.

"What do we have to do? Can I sleep by myself Chris? I’s a big boy." Chris put his hand back as JD breathed to continue.

"Let’s start at the beginning Sprout. We brought three tents. You are bunking with Buck. Vin is with me, and Ezra and Nathan will be with Josiah."

"Aw Chris. Buck snores like a bear." JD whined.

"Well then, he will chase off any critters that come visiting at night." Chris said.

"JD I don’t snore!" Buck smirked.

"Do to! Sounds like ya got a bug up yer nose." JD squirmed down as Buck came after him to tickle him. Vin and Ezra were laughing too.

"Boys?" Chris directed his comment at Buck. "Let’s get set up. Josiah, Buck and I will put up the tents while Ezra, Nate, Vin and JD can find some fire wood."

"Don’t you have a chore that doesn’t require me getting dirty?" Ezra asked.

Chris thought for a minute. "Fine. Take the buckets from the wagon and I’ll show you where to get fresh water we can drink."

Ezra retrieved the buckets and the water after Chris showed him what to do. After filling and carrying a few buckets, he realized that he may be cleaner, but water bearer was more work then wood gatherer.

JD wasn’t much help, but he did manage to get small enough stuff to start the fire. By the time the tents were up the boys had a good size pile of wood gathered. Josiah set up the chuck wagon and pulled out the fixin’s for supper as Chris started the fire. Buck rounded up his brothers and found some larger logs that would need chopping. With everyone’s help, the campsite was complete by the time Josiah rang the dinner bell.

While everyone ate, Chris went over the camp rules.

"Boys. There are a few things I want to go over before bed."

"Aw Chris we done that before we left." Vin whined.

"And I’m going to say them again. We are out in the wild where there are some dangers. I don’t want anyone swimming by himself. JD and Vin, I don’t want you near the water without one of us with you. You need to always tell one of us where you are going and what you will be doing. The woods are good to explore, but if you can’t hear the camp anymore you are too far. Also I don’t want you exploring alone. Stick together, that way if you get into trouble someone can go for help. If you get lost, sit down and wait for someone to find you. Don’t keep wandering. If you here the bell, then you need to return to the camp, understood?" Chris watched them all nod. "So what do you boys want to do tomorrow?"

They spend about an hour discussing plans of exploring, swimming, and fishing until JD started to get tired. The first indication was when he crawled into Buck’s lap and put his thumb in his mouth.

Buck asked, "Are all the bedrolls set up?"

"Yeah. Vin helped put them out before supper." Chris answered.

"I think someone’s tired."

"Doesn’t surprise me. He’s been on overdrive since we left this morning." Josiah said.

"He did have that nap though." Buck said as he cuddled JD closer.

"Only about an hour. He should sleep well." Chris said. "Everyone should."

Everyone helped with the dishes and settled in front of the fire as the sun set.

"Chris?"

"Yeah Vin?"

"Can you tell us a story?"

"You want a campfire story?" Chris smiled.

"Yeah. Before bed." Vin hoped to stall having to go to sleep yet. It was still too early.

"I don’t remember any stories. Josiah? Buck?"

"I can tell ya about the Blue Mist." Buck smiled.

"That story’s a little too scary for little brother Buck." Chris said as he pointed to JD snuggled in Buck’s arms.

"Maybe you’re right. I’ll tell ya a funny story tonight, and tell ya the Blue Mist story after JD falls asleep each night. Deal?"

"Yeah!" Vin said. "I love scary stories."

"Yeah as long as someone is there to cuddle with at night. Should I just move your bedroll with mine? It could save time." Chris asked of Vin.

Vin blushed. It didn’t matter whether he heard a scary story or not, Vin had already put their bedrolls together. He always got cold when sleeping out unless he was close to another warm body. "I already done that. I put JD’s with Buck’s too."

"Thought of everything huh Cowboy?" Chris teased.

"Yup." Vin said proudly as he realized they were teasing him.

"Okay. I’ll tell ya a small story then off to bed." Buck said.

Vin snuggled with Chris as the older ‘boys’ had coffee and listened to the tale Buck was spinning. Ezra was allowed some coffee and he settled in next to Josiah. By the time Buck was finished his story, JD and Vin were asleep and Ezra wasn’t far behind them. With four boys tucked in, Chris, Buck and Josiah discussed plans for the next day. An hour later, the fire was nothing but coals and the only sounds heard in the camp were the quiet snores of seven brothers.

********************************************************
Chapter #18: Things That Go Bump In The Night
********************************************************

The sun was barely visible in the horizon when Vin stirred from his slumber. He was snuggled close to Chris, who was still sleeping. Normally he would get up, but there was a small chill in the air and he was warm in Chris’ arms. He lay there thinking about what he wanted to do first with this brand new day, when he heard JD.

"Buck I gotta pee!"

"Shhhh JD. You’ll wake everyone up."

"I gotta go!"

"Okay Little Bit. Put your boots on.

Vin giggled at JD’s loud voice and Buck’s attempt to quiet him.

"What’s so funny?" Chris asked.

"I didn’t mean ta wake ya."

"You didn’t. I think it was Sprout’s declaration that did it."

"Declaration?"

"His announcement." Chris paused. "Do you need to pee too Vin?"

"Yeah."

"You want me to go with you or are you fine by your self?"

"I’m warm." Vin snuggled closer and Chris understood.

"Just don’t pee on me okay?" Chris closed his eyes and tried to get some more sleep. It wasn’t going to happen though. Just mentioning it, his bladder demanded attention. "AW damn." Chris started to move to get up.

Vin just laughed at him. Chris tried to glare at Vin, but the attempt just made Vin laugh harder. Chris got up and exited the tent. He heard Vin getting his boots on and would soon be following.

Chris heard, before he saw JD approach. Chris swooped in and hugged his baby brother.

"Mornin’ Chris."

"Hey Sprout. What did you do with Buck?"

"He’s still peein’." Chris chuckled. //Kids had no shame//

Chris set JD down and continued to the designated ‘outhouse’. When he returned, Buck was letting JD help with stoking the fire and make the coffee. Vin exited the woods carrying an armful of firewood. Chris ruffled JD’s hair and retrieved a cup.

"Coffee’s almost ready Chris. Josiah is getting water for dishes and Nathan is filling canteens."

"And Ezra?" As if he didn’t know.

"Still sleeping. Josiah asked that we let him sleep awhile longer. I guess he didn’t sleep well last night."

"Problems?" Chris asked. Nobody wanted to deal with Ezra when he was tired.

"Not really." Josiah answered as he entered camp. "I think he just couldn’t get warm and the ground is too hard. He’s never camped."

"Never? How come?" Vin asked.

"Probably thought it was beneath him." Nathan groused.

"That’s not fair Nathan. You know Ezra and his mother traveled a lot and they never did camping. Pa never had a chance to take him before he got sick." Chris answered.

"Well. I finally got him to sleep, but he ended up snuggled in with me. I didn’t mind, but he would probably be embarrassed if it’s mentioned, so don’t." The warning in Josiah’s voice was all that was needed. No one would tease Ezra about needing Josiah as a pillow.

"The Indians used to put pine bows under their skins to make like a mattress. We could make one fer Ez and maybe he would sleep better."

That’s a good idea Vin. Would you help me with it later?"

"Sure Josiah. I was just gonna fish later."

"Why don’t you show me after breakfast, and then you and Ezra can fish this afternoon."

"Ezra wants to fish?" Nathan asked.

"Nate you don’t know your brother very well. He loves to go off and fish. He doesn’t always catch much, but he likes it." Chris said.

"What’s the angle?"

"Ez don’t need no angle. He’s a good fishin’ partner." Vin huffed.

Josiah laughed. When he caught Vin’s eye, they winked at each other. Ezra liked to fish all right. He could lie out on the sun, close his eyes and snooze with no one telling him he was being lazy. He was fishing! Vin knew that most of the time, Ezra didn’t even use any bait. He threw his line in and napped while Vin caught the fish. Josiah knew this also. Sometimes it was easier to deal with Ezra when he had a small nap in the afternoon.

Breakfast was being served when Ezra stumbled out of the tent. He headed for the woods and returned to have Josiah hand him a plate with eggs and fatback on it. Breakfast was quiet as everyone ate. Josiah and Vin disappeared as Chris and Ezra cleaned the dishes.

The afternoon brought above average heat for that time of year and Ezra settled down for some fishing/napping before supper. Josiah spent the time making a small pallet for pine bows for Ezra’s bedroll. He finished in time to start supper.

Dishes were washed and everyone settled in to here Buck tell his stories around the fire. As soon as JD was asleep in Buck’s arms, Vin asked, "Okay Buck, now the scary one."

"Vin are you sure you won’t be too afraid?" Chris asked as he took Vin into his lap.

"I’ll be fine Cowboy. I’s like scary stories. I used to stay up and listen to the braves tell war stories at night."

"Okay, but if you start having nightmares, Buck won’t finish the story. Deal?"

"Okay, but I won’t."

"Go ahead Buck. Just tone it down a little."

"Hey this one is harmless. It happened a few years ago. There were these three boys who decided that they would go to the gold fields in California and try to strike it rich. These youngsters were about Nate’s age, but often boys left home at an early age. The discovery of gold in California could mean wealth, and a chance for adventure and to leave hard and boring work in the East.

"These three youngsters decided to band together, since they knew each other since grade school. They liked and trusted each other and had helped each other often before. It was a dangerous long journey. They took the money that they had and were able to buy passage on an ocean going ship that would sail around Cape Horn off South America. They arrived in San Francisco and from there they headed to the gold fields.

"Well, they were late in arriving. When the news of gold spreads, it spreads fast. Adventurers from all over the US, the orient, from around the world had made the journey to California.

"As they traveled to areas where the latest rumors told of great finds, they did so a s part of a large, mob of eager gold seekers. Life was expensive. This was the frontier and everything had to be brought in from small communities that were not large enough to support such demands on their farms and craftsmen. Local farmers and workers had even deserted their farms and land and joined the gold seekers."

"Sounds dreadful." Ezra commented.

"I would think the gold could motivate you Ezra." Nathan added.

"I would figure out how to do it without the labor."

Josiah chuckled, as Ezra added, "Not much of a living, seeking gold."

"But a living could be scratched out," Buck continued. "Who could tell? Anyone might strike it rich by finding a mother lode. The boys joined the crowds and kept working the placer deposits, finding a little color."

"What’s a placer deposit Buck?" Vin asked.

"It’s when gold is found mixed with the gravel in a stream."

"Ohh. How’d they get it out if it’s mixed?"

"I’m getting to that. Placer deposits were hard work. Gold, which was washed down from the hills by the rivers, was mixed with the gravel. By scooping up pans full of this mixture and washing the lighter stones away from the heavier gold, the prospectors could separate the valuable gold dust and nuggets.

"Sounds too hard." Vin added.

"It was. But the goal was to find the Mother Lode, the source of the placer gold. Prospectors always tried to follow the grains of gold from where these nuggets were cut and carried by the water. Then, instead of washing and washing for mere specks of gold, they would have a solid vein of pure gold to cut away from the surrounding rock. They would have wealth beyond their wildest dreams."

Buck paused and noticed that Vin and Ezra were fighting to stay awake. "I’ll tell ya some more tomorrow night. I think you boys need to go to bed."

"Aw I ain’t…(yawn) tired." Vin protested.

"Buck’s right. This story will take all week to finish, so off to bed." Chris added.

"Please?" Vin whined.

"Do you want Buck to finish this story?" Chris warned.

"Yeah."

"Then obey me and go to bed."

"Yes sir."

Buck tucked JD in and settled down too. Soon the camp was quiet with only the crack of the fire and snores heard.

*************************************
Chapter #19: Pannin’ For Gold
*************************************

Breakfast was over and Vin and Ezra managed to sneak a couple of plates out of the chuck wagon before anyone saw. They headed for the creek. They hollered quickly to Chris that they were going to the creek and went in search of gold.

"Vin. I doubt there is any gold in this creek."

"Don’t matter Ez. It could be fun." Vin was in the process of taking off his boots and socks. He rolled up his pant legs and waded into the creek. "It’s cold."

"Another reason to no pan for gold."

"Come on Ez. Where’s yer ‘venturous spirit."

"Still curled up on my sleeping pallet."

"Ya liked the mattress then?"

"Yes thank you. I didn’t know how I was going to get any sleep on this trip with that hard ground." Ezra sat on the shore and watched Vin pan for gold.

"Josiah said ya ain’t never camped. Livin’ with the Indians is sort of like campin’ all the time. I love being outside."

"I don’t mind outside, but I don’t like sleeping on the hard ground. Mother would be appalled."

"What’s appalled mean?"

"Shocked. Surprised." Ezra laid back and closed his eyes.

"Ya ain’t gonna pan fer gold Ez?"

"I really don’t want too. You go right ahead."

Vin continued to pan for gold and Ezra tried to go to sleep. Both were brought out of there concentration with the sound of the lunch bell."

"We best get back. Josiah probably wants to know where his plates are."

The boys entered the camp and saw Josiah look at them with his hands on his hips. "What are you boys doing with the plates? I have been looking everywhere for them."

"Sorry Josiah. We was pannin’ fer gold in the creek."

Josiah smiled. Figures after Buck’s story last night. "Next time ask before you take something. I would have let you borrow them and then I wouldn’t have been worried about what you were going to eat on. Go rinse them off and come eat."

After lunch, Josiah let the boys borrow the plates and finish panning for gold. When Chris and Buck returned from hunting down some dinner, JD had joined Vin in the creek and Josiah was napping next to Ezra. Nathan was reading a book while he watched Vin and JD splash each other more than find any gold.

Chris cleaned the rabbits he and Buck shot, Josiah cooked them, Nathan did the dishes and then they all settled down for the next part of Buck’s story. JD tried to stay awake but eventually fell asleep. With JD securely sleeping in his arms, Buck continued.

"One day the three boys came upon a river that only had a few miners working the placer deposits near a fairly large, but abandoned tent camp. They thought that there wouldn’t be much gold there, otherwise there would be more miners. But when they started to pan, they found some of the best gold they had come across. They were excited! By working this stream they could make a fortune if the gold held up.

"Soon dusk approached. They joined the few prospectors at the tent camp to cook supper and were invited to stay in an abandoned tent. They were amazed at how rich this stream was and yet how few miners were working there.

"And old man told them, ‘You need not be surprised boys. You may not be here long either. There are things that are more important than gold! But whatever you do as long as you stay in this valley, get into the tents by nightfall. Don’t get caught in the valley in the blue mist. People who get caught by it died. It carries some sickness, but we have survived it. Do as we do, get into your tent before the blue mist comes down the valley!’" Buck paused to see Vin move to Chris’ lap and Ezra and Nathan get closer to Josiah.

"That night, the blue mist again came. At first fingers of a thick blue fog rolled down the valley and curled around the tents. It was dark, about 10PM and the lantern cast an eerie glow with the fog lapping higher and higher on the tents, until finally all was blacked out.

"The three friends were safe in the tent," Buck heard his brothers release a breath. "They hardly believed the old timers but they decided not to press their luck either. Day after day they worked the riches of the stream but night after night, they hid in their tents as the blue mist slid down the river from higher in the valley, blacking out everything and causing the activities of the camp to come to a complete stop.

"And as they would work any other river, by day they panned further and further upstream, looking for richer color, looking for a concentration of gold that might mean that they were nearing the Mother Lode. But they always made sure to listen to the old miners’ advice to be back in the tent camp by nightfall, long before the fingers of blue mist curled down the valley." Buck stopped.

"What happened next?" Vin asked.

"Next, everyone in THIS camp went to bed and fell fast asleep."

"NO! I want to hear more."

"Vin, are we going to have this same argument every night? If so, Buck doesn’t have to tell a story at all. I can simply send you to bed when JD falls asleep."

"I’m sorry. I just don’t like ta wait."

"I know Vin, but that’s half of the fun, is the waitin’. Now off to bed all of you."

********************************
Chapter #20: Cabin Fever
********************************

The next day found the brothers exploring the nearby woods. Looking for something to hit with his slingshot, Vin and Ezra came upon and old abandoned cabin. Some of the windows were still in good shape, so Vin started aiming at the glass. After the first few stones entered the windows, the boys heard Chris approach.

"What are you boys doing?"

Vin wasn’t sure if he could be in trouble or not. He knew not to break windows but this cabin looked abandoned. "Just shootin’."

"Are you supposed to be shooting out windows?"

"No sir, but I don’t think anyone lives here."

"You’re right that no one lives here but I really don’t want you playing near it. The floors aren’t safe and neither is the roof. Pa and I were gonna tear it down the last time we were up here, but never got around to it."

"If yer gonna tear it down anyway…" Vin pleaded with his eyes.

"If I let you shoot the windows out, you have to make me a promise."

"What?"

"That you won’t shoot out windows anywhere else and that you will stay out of the cabin. It’s dangerous."

"I promise."

"Than go ahead. Keep an ear out for the bell."

"Thanks Chris." Vin shot out all of the windows and showed Ezra how to shoot. Both were naturals.

*******

That evening, everyone was eager for JD to go to sleep and for Buck to continue his story.

"Well, one day," Buck started, "The three boys spotted and abandoned cabin, high in the valley."

Vin looked at Chris quickly and Chris smiled back. "It’s not the same cabin Cowboy."

When Buck looked confused, Chris explained, "Vin and Ezra found Pa’s old hunting shack in the woods. I let them shoot the windows out with Vin’s slingshot, but they promised to stay out of the cabin. That goes for all of you, understand?"

Chris heard ‘yes sirs’ and smiled at Buck. "Go ahead Buck."

"The cabin’s door was unlocked and after checking it out they found it fully furnished, apparently abandoned by the owner. That night they asked the old timers about this cabin, so conveniently located high in the valley closer to the richer source of placer deposits which they had worked their way to.

"’Stay in the cabin by day, if you must. But whatever you do, get back to this camp by nightfall. Don’t let your greed cause you to get caught out there over night. That cabin wasn’t abandoned. The owner was Bill Murphy, who some say was the first prospector in this valley. He died in that cabin and by the way they found him it was a horrible death. The same horrible death that kills anyone caught by the blue mist.’

"More than that the old timers couldn’t tell them. But they were obviously afraid for their lives. The valley and its blue mist were holding some terrible secret and these old men would be of no help in solving the mystery.

"Mike, one of the three boys, finally had enough of the long journey back down to the tent camp, especially when there was a fully equipped cabin so close to their diggings. He announced one day that he was spending the night in the cabin. That morning he took his bedding, several days worth of food and packed them along to the diggings. Tom and Roy tried to talk him out of it.

"’Why take the chance?" Tom asked. "We have it OK at the tent camp. We’re making good money. And it’s obvious something terrible has happened in this valley. Those old miners aren’t afraid of anything, except the blue mist. Let’s just stay together and forget about that cabin!’

"Mike wouldn’t hear of it. He worked with them during the day, but that night Tom and Roy had to return to the tent camp without him. As the night wore on, they waited the coming of the mist.

"About 10 PM as usual, the fingers of thick, blue mist curled through the tent camp, soon blacking out all of the twinkling light from the cabin up the valley. Finally, about 1AM they heard something, they thought, way up the valley, possibly from the cabin. Tom couldn’t believe that they had let Mike stay up there alone. They had promised each other that they would stick together, no matter what. The old prospectors were furious that they had let Mike stay up there, for they had learned to like these three boys from the East. They didn’t want anything to happen to them, and here they had gone and challenged the deadly blue mist." Buck paused.

"Are you stopping?" Vin asked.

"The night was terribly long." Buck continued. "Tom and Roy couldn’t sleep that night as they waited for dawn so they could scramble up the valley to the cabin. The old prospectors also spent the night awake, worrying about their new friend.

"But morning finally did come and they left as soon as the sun shined into the valley over the mountains, burning off the blue mist and sending light into the dark valley."

"And?" Vin whispered.

"And," Buck paused and grinned at Chris, "I’ll tell you more tomorrow."

"What?" Ezra hollered and then whispered "what?" as JD stirred.

"More tomorrow. It’s late and time for bed."

"Okay, but Mike better be okay." Vin mumbled as he headed for bed.

Buck just laughed as he tucked JD into his bedroll.

******************************************
Chapter #21: Heading For The Hills
******************************************

"JD! Chris told us No."

"But, Vin, it’s fun to ‘splore cabins."

"Not fun if Chris tans yer hide fer disobeyin’ him."

"You ‘fraid?" JD taunted.

"No. But I promised Chris and I ain’t goin’ back on my promise."

"I didn’t promise." JD entered the small cabin. He saw a small fireplace on the far wall and an old dusty chair with only three legs. Everything was covered in a layer of dust and cobwebs. JD wouldn’t admit it, but it was a scary place. He was thinking of turning around when something touched his shoulder. "AHHHHHH!"

"It’s just me JD."

"VIN! You scart me."

"Good. Now let’s get out of here ‘fore somethin’ bad happens."

"What do ya think pa did when he came out here?" JD asked as they headed for the door.

"Chris said it was pa’s huntin’ shack. I ‘spect he hunted."

"I don’t see no blood."

"Probably won’t either." As Vin reached the door he heard a cracking noise followed by a crash and a scream. He turned around and saw a hole in the floor where JD was only minutes ago.

"JD!" Vin ran to the edge of the hole and looked down. In what looked like a cellar, JD was brushing the dirt off of his pants and crying. "JD? Are you alright?"

"Vin? I hurted my arm." JD cried.

"JD. I want you to stay put. I’m gonna go get Chris and Buck."

"Chris will be mad."

"I reckon he might be, but he did warn ya. It’ll be okay JD. I’ll be back in a minute."

"’Kay." JD sat down and held his sore arm as he cried. Vin turned and ran as fast as he could for the camp.

When he entered the camp, he saw Josiah setting up for supper. Josiah turned to see Vin running toward him and immediately knew something was wrong.

"JOSIAH!" Vin yelled.

"Whoa boy. Slow down and tell me what’s wrong."

"JD…(gasp) he fell…(gasp) trapped."

"Where did JD fall and became trapped?"

"Pa’s cabin." Vin was calming his breathing so he could talk without stuttering.

"The cabin? Chris told you boys to stay away from the cabin." Josiah stood and gathered some rope. He headed straight for the cabin with Vin behind him.

"I told JD that but he wanted to explore. I only went in to bring him out and ‘cause Chris told us to stay together."

"Okay Vin. We will work out all of the details after I get JD out. Show me where he is."

Vin slowly entered the cabin and Josiah followed. As he walked into the cabin, Josiah could hear JD crying.

"JD?"

"’Siah?"

"Yeah Pup, it’s Josiah. Are you hurt?" Josiah looked over the edge of the hole and noticed that JD wasn’t too far from the top of the hole. He shouldn’t need the rope.

"I hurted my arm ‘Siah." JD whined.

"Okay. Let’s get you out of that hole. Can you stand?"

"Yeah." JD stood up and looked at Josiah.

"Reach up and take my hand Pup." JD did as he was asked and Josiah easily pulled JD up out of the hole. He gathered JD into his arms and immediately exited the cabin to check JD for injuries. He set JD down on his feet and looked him over.

Josiah would have laughed at JD if the situation hadn’t been so serious. JD had dirty tear tracks down his face, scrapes on his arms, and was holding his left arm close to his chest.

"Let me see that arm JD." Josiah checked and was satisfied that it wasn’t broken, just bruised. "It’ll hurt for a while but it’s not broken. JD what were you doing in that cabin? Chris told everyone it was off limits because it was dangerous."

"I just wanted to ‘splore." JD cried.

"Let’s get you cleaned up and then we can discuss it."

"I’s sorry ‘Siah. You gonna spank me?"

"We’ll see what Chris wants to do." JD cried harder and Josiah picked him up and headed for the camp.

When Josiah entered the camp with JD, he set JD down and started to clean the dirt off his face and arms. He cleaned the scrapes and bandaged his arm. As he was settling a sleepy JD into his bedroll, Chris and Buck returned to camp with more rabbits for dinner. Buck immediately noticed Josiah coming out of his and JD’s tent and Chris noticed the tear tracks on Vin’s face.

Chris and Buck dismounted and went over to Josiah. "What happened?" Chris asked.

"JD went into pa’s cabin and fell through the floor."

"Is he okay?" Buck asked.

"He banged up his arm and got some scrapes, but he’ll be okay. I just put him in his bedroll to take a nap."

"But he’s okay?" Buck asked.

"Yes. Vin came and got me and then I cleaned him up."

Buck went into the tent to check on JD. Chris turned to Vin. "I thought I told everyone that NO ONE was to go into that cabin." Vin looked up at Chris’ angry face and started to cry.

"I…didn’t. JD wouldn’t listen. He went in anyway. I only followed to make him come out." Vin wiped his eyes.

Chris realized that Vin was frightened. Afraid for JD and probably afraid Chris would think he didn’t keep his promises. Chris gathered Vin into his arms and hugged him close. "Shh. I know you wouldn’t break yer promise to me cowboy. I’m proud of you. You didn’t leave JD alone and when you needed, you ran and got help. I would trust you to watch my back any day."

Vin hugged Chris hard. //Chris was proud?// "Yer not mad?"

"I’m upset with JD, but you did good. I’m not mad at you."

When Ezra and Nathan returned to the camp from the lake, they found Vin asleep in Chris’ lap and Buck and Josiah working on supper.

"What’s going on?" Nathan asked.

"JD and Vin had a small adventure in pa’s hunting shack." Buck answered.

"Are they okay?" Ezra asked.

Chris smiled at Ezra. Ezra didn’t like to admit he cared so deeply, but they all knew he was very protective of his younger brothers. "Yeah. JD hurt his arm when he fell through the floor and Vin’s just exhausted emotionally. He ran for help when JD fell."

"So they’re both okay?" Nathan asked.

"Yes." Chris looked at Vin asleep in his arms. "Why don’t you boys gather some more wood and then get washed up for supper."

"Okay." Nathan and Ezra gathered wood and water and then washed up. Chris woke Vin and then checked on JD. When he pushed a stray lock of hair off of JD’s forehead, JD stirred. His eyes fluttered a moment and then opened. When JD saw Chris, he started to cry.

"Are you in pain JD?" Chris asked with concern.

JD just shook his head and whispered, "I’s sorry."

"JD? Why did you go into the cabin after I told you not too?"

"I’s jest wanted to ‘splore. I’s sorry."

"I told you the cabin was dangerous JD."

"Are ya gonna spank me?"

"I should. You did disobey me." Chris gathered JD into his arms when JD started to cry harder. "JD. I make rules to protect you, not keep you from having fun. I want you to promise me that you will stay away from the cabin. If you make that promise, and you keep that promise, I will not spank you. Deal?"

"I promise. I’s sorry."

"I know JD. I want you to remember that if you had obeyed me, you would not have been hurt. Understood?"

"Yes sir."

"I love you Sprout and it would make us all sad if we lost you."

"I love you too."

"Let’s go have some supper."

"’Kay." Chris helped JD outside and JD apologized to Vin for scaring him. They all had a quiet supper and settled to talk around the campfire after clean up was finished. JD was quick to fall asleep in Buck’s arms and Vin was snuggled close with Chris.

"Buck?" Vin whispered.

"Yeah Vin?"

"What about Mike?" Vin wanted to hear some more of the story.

"Mike? Oh Mike. Well, Tom and Roy headed up to the cabin the next morning and when they got to the cabin, they couldn’t believe their eyes! Mike was dead. And worse, the cabin door was open and he lay half out of the door with a look of terror frozen on his face. A fear that struck the others right to the heart"

"Buck? Maybe tonight isn’t a good night." Chris could feel Vin shaking.

"Aw Chris. I’s just cold."

"Then go get a blanket and then Buck can continue." Josiah added. He suspected that Vin was still shaken from the adventure with JD but he really wanted to hear the story too.

"Okay." Vin scrambled to the tent and got a blanket. He wrapped it around him and snuggled back into Chris’ lap. "Okay Buck. I’m ready now."

Buck looked to Chris for guidance and Chris just shrugged his shoulders. He would be there if Vin had a nightmare.

"Go ahead Buck. He’s handled it so far." Chris said as he held Vin tighter.

"Okay." Buck continued. "The old men said that they had enough, they were leaving this valley for help. It wasn’t safe any longer, no matter how much gold was there.

"Roy and Tom were stunned! And sick at their loss. And mad that they had not helped their friend as they had promised when they set out from home together.

"In a daze they returned to the now abandoned tent camp after burying their friend near the cabin. They had to decide what to do. Should they return home to tell Mike’s parents? They had enough money to return home, but not enough to buy a farm or to start a business if they returned now to the East. But more than that, they mourned their friend. This mourning turned to anger and frustration. Tom finally told Roy that they could not leave until they had done something to solve the mystery of their friend’s death. They could not go home without being able to tell Mike’s parents what had actually happened. Some beast or some person must be responsible for this, and whoever or whatever, must be punished." Buck stopped when he saw Vin’s eyes slide shut and not reopen. "I’ll stop there. These boys need to go to bed."

"I agree. It has been a long day." Chris lifted Vin and headed for bed. Josiah banked the fire and everyone retired.

*******************************
Chapter #22: Revelations
*******************************

Everyone woke the next day to an overcast sky. Chris knew that it would probably rain some time this evening or overnight. With Josiah and Buck’s help, they set up the extra tent as a covering of the campsite. If it rained, they could at least cook without getting wet. It would also keep the younger boys from being forced to stay cooped up in the tents, which would be a recipe for disaster.

Ezra knew if it rained, he would be allowed to snooze all he wanted, so he decide to do some actual fishing. His mother would be horrified if she found out he really did enjoy fishing. Vin had told Ezra that he would teach him how some of the Indian tribes fished. He was warned that it involved getting dirty though. Ezra didn’t care, so by mid afternoon, Vin was observing as Ezra stood in the middle of a stream waiting to catch a fish with his hands. He realized that he was actually pretty good at it and had already caught two nice size trout for supper. His concentration was broken when Nathan joined them.

"Ezra? What are you doing?"

"He’s fishin’ Nate."

"Fishing? Where’s his pole?"

"He don’t need one." Vin noticed how Ezra shook a little with Nathan’s tone of voice.

"Hurumph. He’s just wasting time as usual."

"THAT’S IT!" Ezra stormed out of the stream and stalked up to Nathan. "I haven’t figured out why you hate me so much Nathan, but it isn’t your job to run my life. I am tired of the comments. ‘He doesn’t think about anything but money’," he mocked. "’Does nothing but laze around’. Well Nathan, I am who I am and if you don’t like that, fine, but I want you to get off my back." Ezra started to gather his boots and socks and headed into the wooded area near the camp.

"What was that all about?" Nathan asked.

"You really have to ask?"

"Yes. I’m only trying to help him…"

"See the errors of his ways?" Vin completed.

"No." Then he paused. "Well, maybe. He doesn’t contribute much. He’s always laying around, sleeping in late, getting out of ‘menial labor’."

"You don’t see the real Ezra Standish, Nathan. You still see a southern boy next to your slave boy. Try looking for the real Ezra instead of what you want to see."

"What’s that suppose to mean?"

"Just what I said. You see Ezra one way because of the way ya were raised. But that ain’t the real Ezra."

"Who’s the real Ezra then Vin? Some one who can catch fish with his hands? Huh. It’ll never happen."

"Yer wrong. Those fish? Ezra caught them. But fishin’ is just one thing. Ezra does a lot of things that would shock you, but not the rest of us. We see the real Ezra. The sad little boy who just wants to belong and wonders why his older brother hates him so." With that said, Vin gathered up the fish and headed back to the camp.

Nathan couldn’t believe what Vin was saying. He didn’t want to believe it. Was he wrong about Ezra?

******

Vin entered the camp expecting to see Ezra, but he wasn’t there. He saw Josiah and brought the fish over to him. "Here Josiah. Ezra caught some fish fer supper."

"Great. Is he still catching fish?"

"No. He’s not here?"

"No." When Josiah saw Vin’s face he knew something was up. "What happened Vin?"

"Well, we was fishin’ and Ezra caught these with his hands Josiah." Smiling at Josiah, Josiah smiled back.

"That’s great."

"Then Nathan showed up and started telling Ezra to stop fooling around and pretendin’ to fish and Ezra got mad. I never seen him so sad."

"Sad? I thought you said he was mad?"

"He was, but in a sad sort of way. He asked Nate why he hated him. Then he stormed off. I thought he headed back here."

"I’ll go look for him. He’s not far I’m sure. Where’s Nate now?"

"I don’t know. I told him he didn’t know Ezra and was always being mean."

"You did huh?"

"Yeah, I’m sorry but he makes me so mad when he judges Ez fer no reason."

"Why don’t you clean these fish and I will find Ezra."

"Okay." Vin settled down to clean the fish and Josiah went in search of his lost little brother.

It didn’t take long to find Ezra. He approached the old abandoned cabin and saw Ezra sitting on the ground leaning against a rock in the small clearing. As he got closer, he could hear Ezra’s breathe hitching. //He’s crying// Josiah approached quietly.

"Ezra?" He asked softly.

Ezra turned to the voice and wiped at his eyes quickly.

"What’s wrong little brother?" Ezra responded to the soft voice and let Josiah gather him into a hug as Ezra cried. "Shh. It’s okay." Josiah let him cry and when he calmed down, Josiah handed a clean hanky to Ezra for his eyes.

"Sorry Josiah." Ezra said quietly.

"What are you sorry about?"

"Coming here." Ezra motioned toward the cabin.

"If I remember Chris right, he said not to go inside the cabin. You’re not inside. You want to talk about what’s got you so upset?"

"Not really."

Josiah smiled. "What if I tell you that Vin is worried about you and told me about what happened at the stream?"

Ezra just looked at Josiah. The tears flowed anew and Josiah heard the soft, "Why does Nathan hate me so much?" as Ezra clung to Josiah.

"Shh Ezra. Nathan doesn’t hate you."

"Yes he does. He’s always judging my actions expecting me to have some kind of ulterior motive." Ezra wiped his eyes.

"Nathan has a lot of his own demons Ez. Maybe he doesn’t know how to see you for who you are."

"I just wish he would love me for who I am, not for who he thinks I am."

"I know. Do you want me to talk to him?"

"What good is that going to do? He didn’t listen to Chris tell him to stop bossing me around."

"Why don’t you come on back to camp and help me get supper ready?"

"I’ll be there in a minute, okay?"

"Sure. Come when you’re ready." Josiah stood to leave.

"Thanks Josiah."

"No problem Ezra. That’s what big brother’s are for."

"Tell Nathan that."

"Maybe I will." Josiah headed back to the camp. When he entered the small clearing he noticed Chris and Buck had returned with JD. JD was running around, even with his arm wrapped up. //Boy must be feeling better// Josiah noticed Nathan enter camp from the other direction. Josiah approached Chris and asked him to watch the boys while he talked with Nathan. He walked up to Nate and simply took his arm and said, "We need to talk, NOW!" Josiah dragged Nathan off toward the stream.

"What was that all about?" Chris asked Vin.

"Nathan was being mean to Ezra again."

"Where is Ezra?" Buck asked.

"Near the cabin cryin’."

"Not in the cabin I hope." Chris said.

"No sir. Josiah was just there calmin’ him down."

"And how do you know all this?" Chris asked suspiciously.

"I sort of followed Josiah." With Chris’ stern look, Vin added. "I was worried."

"No more eavesdropping, Kevin, understand?"

"Yes sir."

"Good." Chris smiled at Vin as they all worked on supper.

********

Ezra didn’t know what Josiah had said to Nathan, but when he returned to camp, Nathan apologized for misjudging him. He also told Ezra that he did love him, he just had trouble seeing his brother and not a southern slave owner. Both boys talked and worked out a few of their differences. Ezra knew it was a start and he would take any kind of progress at this stage of the game.

Dishes cleaned and put away, the boys waited for JD to fall asleep as they talked around the campfire.

"Okay Buck," Vin whispered, "JD’s asleep."

"I don’t know boys. Maybe we should skip tonight’s part." Buck teased.

"Buck. You promised." Vin said.

"Vin. He’s teasing us." Ezra said in a whisper to Vin.

Vin smiled. "Okay. I’m kind of tired anyway." Vin stood and stretched. Chris found it hard to not laugh at the expression on Buck’s face.

"Well I did promise." Buck started.

"That’s okay Bucklin. We can wait." Vin smiled innocently.

Buck realized he was being toyed with when he saw the mischief in Vin’s eyes and the fact that Chris and Josiah were ready to bust a gut trying not to laugh. "Sit down boy."

Vin giggled. "Okay, if you insist." Vin snuggled with Chris who gently tickled him for a minute. "Stop Chris."

"Okay boys quiet down and let me tell you what Tom did." Buck waited until everyone was listening.

"Tom wanted Mike’s killer punished and he could only think of one way to do this. They would return to the cabin, armed, and spend the night. That way they could solve the mystery of the Valley of the Blue Mist!

"Roy was horrified! No way was he going to spend the night in that cabin. He thought the idea was crazy and he told Tom so in no uncertain terms. Tom was stubborn in his plan. He felt that it was their duty as they had abandoned their friend. They owed this to him.

"Roy could not talk him out of it. But there was no way that HE would go up that valley and spend the night in the blue mist. As evening approached, the boys each had their mind made up. Tom packed his gear, including their only rifle, and headed up the valley to the cabin. It was already late when he left, and he had to hurry to beat the blue mist.

"When he got there he made sure that the door was latched and windows shut. He moved the heavy chest of drawers against it.

"Down in the valley Roy was alone in the tent camp. The old timers had left in a hurry, not even taking their equipment. An old clock ticked on as night fell. Roy realized what a terrible error he had made. His friend was trapped at the cabin; he was alone in this dreadful valley. Just two nights ago he had been with the two best friends he ever had without a care in the world. Now he was exhausted, alone without a rifle, and his remaining friend was at the head of a valley that was full of death and mystery.

"The minutes on the old wind up clock ticked by. A proud possession of one of the miners, it had been left behind in the hasty abandonment of the camp. Soon it was 10PM, the fingers of mist again curled through the silent tent camp. Terror struck, he waited and listened." Buck paused and a bright flash of lightening made everyone jump.

"Looks like we’re in for that storm after all." Josiah said.

"Maybe we should stop and head for the tents before it begins to rain." Chris suggested.

"Please Chris. We’re covered from the rain." Vin’s eyes pleaded with his brother.

"Okay, but maybe we should put JD in his bedroll first. That way Buck won’t have such a hard time if it rains."

"Sounds good to me." Buck said as he stood. "This Little Bit weights more than he looks." Buck tucked JD in tight and returned to the campfire.

"What happened next Buck?" Ezra asked.

"Well, Roy couldn’t hear anything from the cabin and the swirling mist climbed higher and soon blacked out his view of the stars and the other tents. He was completely alone. He wished he had stuck with Tom in the cabin. After all, Tom was his best friend and might even now need his help. And how about him? Alone and without a gun in abandoned tents, alone in a thick, swirling mist.

"The night lasted and lasted, as nights full of terror always do. Soon the glow of the sun cut through the thick fog and the mist started to lift from the valley. Roy scrambled up the valley to the cabin. From the river’s edge he shouted for Tom, but there was no answer from the cabin." Buck stopped as the first of the rain started to hit the tarp. "Here comes the rain boys, and I think we should hit the sack."

"Yep. Tomorrow is another day." Josiah said.

"And another night." Vin said as he scrambled off Chris’ lap and headed for their tent.

Chris smiled. "Well at least he didn’t whine for you to finish."

"Nope. He didn’t." Buck headed to his tent and everyone was soon asleep.

********************************************
Chapter #23: Two Down, One To Go
********************************************

"KEVIN JOSEPH TANNER! You get back here right now!"

"Aw Chris. Its just rain."

"NOW!"

Realizing Chris wasn’t happy with his romp through the rain and mud, Vin headed back to the tented area over the campfire.

They all woke to a rainy day. Chris dreaded camping with active boys when it rained. It was a good thing he had the wisdom to bring the extra tent to create a roof over the campfire area or he would have killed a few brothers already this morning.

JD had awakened with his usual energy and was finally settled in for an afternoon nap. Now Vin decided to make a mad dash in the rain just to irritate Chris; or so Chris thought.

As Vin entered the dry area, Chris grabbed his arm and gave him a firm swat on the backside. "If you do that again, you’ll find yourself taking a nap too, understood?"

"Yes sir." Vin walked over to where Ezra was sitting and joined him. He looked over at Buck, who was enjoying a cup of hot coffee in peace. "Hey Buck?"

"Yeah Vin?"

"Since JD is takin’ a nap, could you tell us more of the story?"

"You mean what Roy found when he got to the cabin?"

"Yeah. Was Tom alive or was he dead too?" Vin asked.

"Well, when Roy climbed up the path he found the front door wide open and in the doorway was his friend’s body."

"What happened?" Vin asked.

"Tom’s body was twisted in an agony of death, the table and dresser knocked over, the rifle off to one side. The rifle had not even been fired! What could possibly have caught brave Tom so suddenly that he couldn’t even get a shot off?

"Roy now knew what he had to do. He could not return home now, he had to find out what mystery the Blue Mist held. He had to avenge his friends’ deaths! Oh, how he wished he had stayed with Tom. How could he have been so stupid to have let him stay in this cabin alone, but now he had to make all of that up to both of his friends.

"He immediately returned to the tent camp. There he got nails and a hammer. He brought extra kerosene for the lantern and two extra lanterns. He brought rope and some old, empty cans. He would return to the cabin and avenge the death of his friends, no matter what.

"Weighted down with his supplies, he took a last look at the now abandoned tent camp. He trudged up the now familiar streambed that he and his friends had worked together for so long. At the cabin he noted that the old clock which his friends had started was still ticking, and the time seemed correct. He took nails and went to work on the windows, boarding them up, nailing them soundly shut. Nothing could possibly get in. He strung the empty cans on the rope around the cabin, so he could hear anyone or anything, approach. H raked the dirt so that he could see any footprints the next day. Finally, everything outside seemed ready. H shut the door of the cabin for the last time and firmly nailed it shut.

"He moved the dresser in front of the door. Thinking to further block it, he tried to move the large trunk located along one wall of the cabin. The trunk was too heavy to move. Opening it he found only a layer of old clothes, a belt, and a few odd items. The trunk had been nailed to the floor. Leaving it there, he filled the kerosene lanterns. He made sure the rifle was loaded and then started the long wait for night." As Buck went to continue, he heard JD yell his name and start crying. "Well, boys. I guess you’ll have to wait until tonight to find out what happens." Buck got up and went in to JD.

"He’s got great timing." Vin groused.

"Don’t be blaming JD. You were luck to get more of the story while JD napped." Josiah added.

"Besides, the rain is letting up and we’re gonna need some more wood. Why don’t you all go see if you can find some that isn’t too wet." Chris ordered.

Everyone but Josiah headed out. Josiah smiled. "We don’t need more wood brother Chris. Especially not wet wood that won’t burn."

"Really?" Chris smirked. "We may not need wood, but I need them to go look for some." Chris sat down with a sigh. "God I hate it when it rains."

Josiah sat with him. "They do tend to get to be too much when cooped in. All but Ezra."

"Who I’m surprised isn’t asleep in his bedroll."

"He was gonna take a nap until Vin suggested some more of the story. I think he’s enjoying it. Come to think of it, have you noticed he’s stopped complaining about camping in general?"

"He’s enjoying the whole experience and I’m happy about that. But what I’m really happy about it that in lest than a week, ALL of them will be in SCHOOL."

"What day are we headed back?"

"Well, if it continues to rain, I was thinking of heading back tomorrow. But if it clears up, the day after tomorrow."

"That gives us, what? Four days until school starts?"

"Not soon enough if you ask me. It has been a very long summer."

"That’s the truth." Chris and Josiah turned to see Buck helping JD with his britches and boots.

"Buck, you’ve been playing deputy most of the summer." Josiah teased.

"Until he got shot." Chris added. "You need to learn how to duck Bucklin."

"I’ll show you how to duck." Chris easily dodged the swing Buck made for his heed.

"Where are the boys?" Buck asked changing the subject.

"Gathering wood." Josiah smiled.

"WOOD? Wet wood? What good is that?"

"Gives us some peace." Chris said.

"Ah. I get it. A fools errand."

"You would know."

"Hey!"

*************

"I said NO!"

"But Chris. I’m tired of beans. I want some fish. It won’t take long." Vin whined.

"What does NO mean?" Chris was tired and a little frustrated with his headstrong little brother.

"Means you don’t want me ta have any fun, just sit and do nothin’! I’m bored!" Vin yelled.

"Boy you are pressing your luck. It is to dangerous down by the stream because of the rain, not because I want to keep you from your fun."

"Ain’t dangerous either. I’m a good fisher."

"I’m not arguing with you Vin. The answer is NO. End of story." Chris moved toward the campfire to get ready for dinner.

Vin was angry. He didn’t want beans. He was cold and wet but worst of all he was bored. //What does Chris know// Vin headed toward the stream.

Chris turned to see Vin stalk off toward the stream. "Okay! That’s it." Chris walked after Vin. Buck motioned toward Josiah.

"Ezra? Nate? Let’s go see if we can find some berries for dessert. Buck you and JD want to join us?"

Buck looked toward Chris and Vin and said, "Yeah I think we better."

Everyone scattered as Chris dragged a protesting Vin back into the camp. Chris was too angry to notice everyone was gone. He sat down on a log and pulled Vin over his lap. As he spanked Vin he lectured him on obedience, not talking back, and anything else he thought was relevant.

Vin struggled and wiggled, but Chris was holding on tight and not slowing his swats. Vin was in tears by the time Chris stopped. He held Vin in front of him and was going to say something but instead just hugged Vin. He held his sobbing little brother for a while. It wasn’t until he heard Vin apologized did Chris notice the camp was empty. Chris wiped Vin’s tears away and smiled.

"I wonder where your brother’s are? I must have scared them off."

"Maybe." Vin tried to stop his crying and had managed by the time Josiah and Buck returned with brothers and blackberries.

"We brought dessert." JD bounced.

Vin tried to smile. "Looks good JD."

"You okay, Vin?" JD asked.

"Yeah. I’m okay." Vin looked up and saw Josiah and Buck wink at him. Vin even found understanding in Ezra and Nathan’s eyes. Vin smiled back and ruffled JD’s hair.

Chris interrupted with the announcement that supper was ready and boys needed to wash up.

Dishes were cleared, washed and put away as Josiah and Buck started the evening coffee. Vin was concerned that his earlier behavior was going to keep Buck from the story, so he walked over to Chris with a cup of hot coffee and handed it to him.

"Thanks Vin." Chris took a sip and noticed Vin wanted to ask something. "What Vin?"

"Are you…Can Buck finish his story?"

"Yes he can."

"Can I stay up to hear it?"

"Are you afraid because of earlier I will send you to bed early?"

"Yes sir." Vin kept his eyes on the ground.

"What would you do if I did say you had to go to bed, without a story?"

"I’d go, but I’d be sad. I’s real sorry about disrepectin’ you earlier, so’s I deserve ta go to bed early."

"I forgave you earlier Vin. We have all been tired and being cooped up with the rain never helps. I’m not planning on sending you to bed early. If Buck wants to continue he can and you can stay up to listen. Okay?"

"Yes sir!" Vin’s smile made the world right again. Chris gathered him into a hug.

"I love you cowboy."

"Love you to COWBOY!" Vin giggled.

"HEY! Watch it little brother."

Buck entered the area and smiled at Chris and Vin. "I’m putting Little Bit to bed."

Twenty minutes later Buck was ready to continue his story. "Almost finished boys. Let’s see, where were we?"

"Roy had locked himself in the cabin and was waitin’ fer night." Vin bounced.

"So I was. Well Night comes suddenly in the mountains. When the sun finally lowers toward the horizon, it will suddenly dip behind a mountaintop and be quickly lost from view. Shadows appear immediately and soon thereafter it is night.

"With night in this valley comes more than darkness. The dreaded blue mist starts forming in the chasms and rivulets that form the valley on the mountainside. As Roy waited, he watched the clock. Soon it was 10PM and the mist started swirling beyond the cabin door, filling the basin of the river and sliding its way down to the abandoned tent camp. Fingers of mist slid between now empty tents.

"At the cabin Roy continued to wait. His heart pounding, he though of his friends and he thought of his own danger. The night deepened and outside the mist covered the cabin. He listened intently for any sound amongst the tin cans outside, any evidence of movement from the nearby forest.

"And finally he DID hear something. At first it was a quiet whisper. Then more of a hiss, it sounded close, very close to the cabin. Could it be a snake? Or a whole coil of snakes? Surely there would have been some sign earlier when the others had been killed.

"The hiss was close, near the window. SUDDENLY HE FELT HIS THROAT CLOSE UP. He thought he was losing his sight, the cabin was becoming darker! No! It was the kerosene lights, they were flickering out!

"AAAUUUGGGHHH!!!!" Buck tried to stay serious as everyone jumped as he raised his voice. "VIOLENT SPASMS TWITCHED HIS BODY, HE GASPED FOR AIR, HE STRUGGLED TO ESCAPE! He couldn’t breathe! The light from the lamps was out, the hissing, more of a sighing was louder now. Its location was easy to identify. It was coming from the EMPTY TRUNK!

"He grabbed at the dresser and threw it aside. The planks! He ripped at the planks, the spasm shaking his body!" Buck paused.

"Don’t stop now." Nathan said.

"Well, Early the next day a group of men went up into the valley. It was the group of old miners, leading a posse from the nearest town. Upon finding the cabin sealed shut, they took their picks to the door and smashed their way through. Inside they found the contorted body of the last of the three friends."

"Dead?" Vin asked.

"Yes sir. Deader than a coonskin cap."

"Is that it?" Nathan asked.

"What happened? Did they ever find out?" Ezra added.

"It’s a mystery boys."

"That’s it? What did the posse find out?" Nathan asked.

"They found out that all of the Larabee brothers were still awake."

"Not funny Bucklin." Vin said.

"It’s time for bed anyway. Maybe Buck will revel the mystery on our way home tomorrow." Chris herded everyone to bed.

************************************
Chapter #24: The Ride Home
************************************

Bedrolls were packed, tents were taken down and after a quick breakfast of biscuits and fatback, the entire family headed home. From the moment the boys woke up, they started pestering Buck to revel the mystery of the Blue Mist.

Chris was on his horse with Vin and Buck had JD. Ezra and Nathan had ridden their horses while Josiah drove the chuck wagon. Halfway home the group stopped for a rest and some lunch. Ezra, Nate, and Vin were hoping JD would fall asleep after lunch and their hope came true. Buck was watching the ‘vultures’ circle when JD nodded off. He had to laugh at the persistence of his siblings.

Chris rode up next to Buck and JD. "I think you had better spill it while the Sprout is asleep, or we aren’t going to get any rest when we get home. I have plans of dinner, baths and bed for everyone."

"Baths? Yuck." Vin mumbled.

Chris heard him and gently tickled him. "Ok. Ok. I give up." Vin squealed.

"Okay boys." Buck announced. "I’ll tell you what the posse found." The group stopped and Buck switched JD in front of his saddle to Chris’. That way Vin could ride in front of Buck and hear better. JD stirred for a moment during the transition and then settled in Chris’ arms. Vin climbed up with Buck and Ezra and Nathan pulled up along each side of Buck.

"Everyone here?" Buck smiled at the impatient sighs. "Okay. The posse decided that since so many people had died in the cabin, they would just tear down the cabin. So they started tearing it down, board by board. When the reached the flooring, they also noticed the old trunk nailed to the floor. Breaking it apart they made an incredible discovery."

"What?" All three asked at once.

"The trunk apparently had a secret, false bottom. It covered a shaft leading into a hidden mine. And that mine proved to be the Mother Lode! Rather than claim this rich vein of ore for what it was, the miner had simply staked a claim and built his cabin over the spot. Then he covered the opening with the trunk, a much better hidden entrance than a trap door under a rug in the cabin."

"But what killed the miner and the three boys?" Ezra asked.

"Well, unknown to the old miner, he eventually reached a pocket of deadly gas within his mine. When night fell in the valley, the air pressure would drop. This caused the blue mist to rise up from the ground. But inside the cabin, it allowed the mine shaft to start blowing air out its opening, just as a cave entrance will do when the pressure is right. But this mine air was laced with deadly gas, which, when it caught its victim, shook them with spasms and a very quick death."

"What happened to the mine?" Ezra asked. Nathan started to give Ezra a disapproving look but remembered what Josiah told him about Ezra this week. //Jury’s still out Ez//

"I heard tell that the mine had the biggest and riches deposits of gold ever found in it. It eventually became the Empress Mine, but it had a tragic beginning, one that killed three good friends in the middle of their life of adventure together."

"Is this a true story Buck?" Vin asked.

"That’s for you to decide. I’m only the storyteller."

For the rest of the trip home, they asked Buck questions and Chris was quite impressed with how Buck fielded every one of them. The conversation only changed when JD woke up. No one wanted to make JD feel like he missed a story while camping.

It was supper time when the entered the yard and Chris could smell something wonderful coming from the house. //Leave it to Nettie to know when we would be back// They quickly unloaded the wagon and took care of the horses.

Nettie was happy to have the boys’ home and had made a wonderful welcome home meal for them. After supper, everyone had a bath, starting from the youngest to the oldest. Boys were tucked into their warm beds and the house settled with Josiah and Chris having coffee and just relaxing.

Buck came down to say his good nights. "School starts soon. Then the ranch can get back to normal." Buck said as he sat.

"What’s your idea of normal brother Buck?"

"I don’t know Josiah. It’s just been a long summer vacation."

"Yes it has." Chris agreed. "But if you think those boys going to school will cause things to quiet down, you’re nuts. First it will be JD crying he doesn’t want to go, then homework and fights and plays and colds and snow days and…"

"Okay. I get your point."

"Good. As long as you don’t think life around here will ever be normal."

"Maybe not normal, but I wouldn’t trade the chaos for anything." Buck said as he rose to go to bed.

"Me neither Buck." Chris said as he leaned back and closed his eyes with a sigh.

"Amen, brothers. Amen."

The End (At least until the first day of school)

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