Adam spared not his horse in his dash to the small homestead. Following the riverbed to a dried up gulch he urged Sport up the bank and onto an infrequently used track. Rounding a sharp bend the small house was clearly visible no more that a few miles away. Once on the flat Sport stretched out and the miles disappeared beneath him.

From a distance Adam could see a figure that looked to be a boy or young man. The sun was high in the sky shining directly into his eyes. Approaching the homestead at a walk. The house and the figure with the sun behind it stood in total shadow. Adam lifted his hat and used it too shade his eyes. He made no effort to dismount until he was invited. The holstered gun and the rifle hanging loose crooked in the boy’s arm appeared harmless but Adam was taking no chances the weapon was carried with the ease of knowledge.

“State your business.”

The voice was definitely female, although the male garb begged to differ. The loose fitting pants and baggy shirt did a splendid job of camouflage. It was only her voice that gave away her gender. A more cold and unfeeling tone of voice Adam had not heard in a long time. The woman stood before him the brim of the Stetson hid her face. She gave no indication of a warm welcome. It mattered little to Adam he was neither cold nor looking for the comforts of a woman.

“l need help ma’am. My brother has been injured. Do you have a wagon l could use or buy? I have to get him to Turner’s Cross. l pray they have a doctor in that town. Ma’am l would be more than grateful.”

He could feel her eyes on him but all he saw was a face in a shadow. He knew he was being assessed and judged. After a number of minutes she spoke.

“How was he injured?”

Adam explained about the land slide and Little Joe’s fall. Explaining that he needed a wagon his brothers injuries were too severe to travel on horseback. With Turners Cross as the nearest town and hopefully there a doctor. She agreed that there was a doctor but that it was a long way to take a man with the injuries he had described.

“Your animal looks to be suffering. Step down and see to his needs. You’ll find a wagon in the barn, and a pony, l presume you can put the two together,”

“Thank you ma’am.”

Adam felt as if he could smother the woman with kisses, but she had turned away and headed into the house. Quickly dismounting he led Sport to the water and allowed him a few moments to drink. Disgruntled,the horse was not happy with being pulled away from the trough. Adam struggled, silently cursing under his breath as Sport put up a token resistance and then meekly walked to the barn. Adam removed the saddle and made Sport comfortable then set about hitching up the wagon. Before he had finished, the woman came into the barn. Turning at the sound of her approach Adam was taken aback, he knew he had not been able to disguise his look of incredulity. The large hat removed he could plainly see the womans face, his gasp of amazement earned him a black look of derision. The woman before returning to the house advised him to spread a good amount of straw in the base of the wagon. For a moment he was frozen in his tracks but there was much more on his mind than the woman’s appearance as strange as it was. He covered the base of the wagon with a thick layer of straw. Satisfied he walked the pony and wagon to the front of the house. She was waiting for him, standing outside the house carrying a number of pillows and blankets. At her feet was a black doctors bag. Her face was once more hidden beneath the large brimmed hat.

“You are coming with me? You really have done more than…” his question was left unfinished.

“Yes, if you will allow l may be of some help.”

“Ma’am l would be more than grateful. I can’t thank you enough. ” Adam was more than happy for the woman’s offer. Once again she issued her instructions.

“In the house second bedroom on the left fetch the single mattress, ”

Adam settled the mattress on top of the straw and placed the pillows and blankets on top. Turning to help the woman into the wagon he found she was already seated. Clasping the black bag on her knees. She sat as far to the near side of the carriage as possible and as far away from the driver as she could. Adam seated himself and picked up the reins. He suddenly realised he had not introduced himself. Taking the reins into one hand he stretched his other hand in greeting. “Adam Cartwright ma’am and l thank you kindly for your assistance.”

She made no attempt to take his hand. Her stare, one of almost total disgust cut him dead. “Mr Cartwright what help l can give your brother will make no difference whether we are introduced or not. You approached across the meadow. Do not take the wagon that way. You maybe in a great hurry to get to your brother. l value my pony’s legs. You will also keep to the road on the way back the smoother the return journey the better. Speed is not a factor.”

“Ma’am.”

Bringing his open palmed right hand slowly back Adam tipped the front of his shirt with his fingers. Slipped the reins into both hands. With a flick of his wrists and a click of his tongue. the chocolate coloured pony trotted forward. After a few moments silence the woman keeping her gaze fixed on the pony’s swishing tail spoke.

“You may call me Etta…Etta Tone.” There was no further conversation.