Adam groaned as the stagecoach once more slowed and stopped. This was the third time that day. At this rate it would be a week before they got to Virginia City.

Adam opened the door and called to the driver. “Is it that wheel again, Cal?”

“Yeah,” came the disgusted reply. “I don’t think that repair is going to last much longer. I keep tellin’ them they need to give us a spare wheel and spare nuts and bolts. Then we could put it under the coach, have it handy when we need to replace one, and cut down on these delays.”

Adam sighed. He felt he should try to help. Although that certainly wasn’t a part of a passenger’s responsibility, helping Cal would make the time go faster.

Cal was already kneeling beside the damaged wheel. Adam watched for a moment and then stepped to his side and offered his assistance. “What can I do to help?”

Cal wasn’t the spriest person anymore. The rough roads, enduring all kinds of weather, the long days, the short nights, fighting to control the four horse teams, aged a man quickly. Although he could certainly use the help, Cal shook his head.

“I can’t ask you to help, Adam. Tain’t your job. I’ll manage. Maybe you could hold the horses steady. Sure don’t need to have them takin’ off while I’m workin’ on this blasted wheel.”

Adam nodded and walked to the lead team and grasped both bridles, talking quietly to the horses as he tried to watch Cal.

There was a lot of soft mumblings and, no doubt curses, as Cal struggled to try to again tighten the nuts. It was obvious that all the bolts holding the wheel were stripped and the nuts would only keep working themselves loose when the wheel again started turning.

Cal finally got stiffly to his feet, nodded to Adam and started to climb back into the driver’s seat. Suddenly he bent double. Adam was at his side. Concerned, he asked what was wrong.

“Don’t know, just got a terrible pain in my belly. I’ll be fine. Just give me a minute.”

Several minutes passed and Cal was still bent over, seemingly growing paler by the moment. Adam finally made a decision. “You get inside. You’re in no condition to drive.”

“I can’t let you do that, Adam. It’s against regulations.”

“Hang the regulations. You need to take it easy. When we get outside of Virginia City, we’ll stop and, if you’re feeling up to it, you can drive into town. Now get in there and stretch out.”

Cal reluctantly obeyed. With a hand from Adam, he made it into the coach and eased himself down and closed his eyes.

Adam took his place atop the stage, gathered the reins and with a loud ‘Yaaaah,’ sent the team toward their destination.

All seemed to be going well as the stage approached the long, winding drive up to the top of Sun Mountain and Virginia City. Adam gave the horses another slap of the reins and leaned forward as though to help them make the arduous climb. As they came to a straight stretch, Adam looked out across the distance valley. He was always impressed with the views from this twisting road.

Suddenly his attention was drawn back to the stage. He could hear that all too familiar squeaking. The wheel was again working itself loose. He pulled back on the reins, reversing his previous command. The horses started to slow, but it was too late. The momentum of the stage had worked the wheel completely loose and it went bouncing down the side of the mountain. The now wheel-less axle landed with a bone jarring thud, sparks flying from the metal striking large stones along the side of the road. Adam yelled to Cal to hang on. The stage was impossible to control. The horses seemed to become frightened from the unfamiliar pull of the heavy stage. They increased their speed, completely ignoring the commands Adam was trying to send them. One of the sharpest bends was just ahead. Adam knew if he didn’t get the horses slowed down, the stage would never make the bend. It would be dashed against the side of the mountain and probably broken apart. Adam didn’t feel he could jump as it would leave Cal alone on either a runaway stage or one that would be torn to pieces. And so, he stayed, still trying to slow the horses and, hopefully, avoid a catastrophe.

The stage hit a protruding rock and one door was immediately torn away. Cal was calling to Adam to stop the team. Adam didn’t bother to answer. As they entered the bend, the stage was slowing coming apart; a rear wheel broke apart leaving one side without wheels. The horses staggered as the stage was now nothing but a dead weight behind them. The tilt of the stage made it almost impossible for Adam to keep his seat. Jumping now was really not an option, as there was really no place to jump. Both sides of the road were strewn by huge rocks. Suddenly the stage tongue started to crack. Adam pulled on the reins, praying that the horses would obey. They did start to slow and finally completely stopped.

Adam sat slumped, his eyes closed in relief. He spent a few minutes letting his heart return to it’s normal rhythm. His legs were trembling as he climbed down from the top of the stage. He made his way to the side of the stage to see how Cal had fared. Cal was on the floor of the stage holding on to the side of the damaged doorway. Adam softly called his name. At first, Cal seemed to be in another place, but finally his hands relaxed and he opened his eyes. Adam extended his hand and helped Cal out of the ruined stagecoach. Cal took in the widespread damage and shook his head. “You know, Adam, I think I’m gonna recommend you as a driver. I don’t know how you done it, boy, but, by golly, you did real good.” Cal clapped Adam on the back. Adam gave him a grin and started to walk forward to examine the horses. Cal called after him, “Hey, you know what, son? I don’t have that stomach pain no more. You even managed to cure that for me.” Their laughter seemed to drive away all those previous horrible images