Summary:  A faith healer comes to town and causes problems for Dr. Martin and the Cartwrights.
Rating:  T  (14,600 words)

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A Matter of Faith

 

 Thanks for the idea Lisa!

 

 ‘It’ll be nice to see Paul tonight,’ said Adam as he sat down in his favourite chair in front of the fireplace and made himself comfortable. ‘Any particular reason why you’ve invited him to dinner Pa?’

 

‘Pa hasn’t lost a game of chess in a while,’ piped up Little Joe with a grin. ‘He reckons it’s about time he did.’  He giggled at his own wit.

 

Ben tried to look stern, but failed miserably as his eyes were twinkling behind his frown. ‘That is enough from you young man,’ he said, trying not to laugh. ‘I’ll have you know that Paul and I are evenly matched when it comes to our chess playing.’ Joe’s expression showed clearly that he didn’t believe it, but he said nothing. ‘I invited him for two reasons,’ Ben went on. ‘Firstly because he hasn’t been out here for a while and he enjoys Hop Sing’s cooking so much.  And the second reason is because he’s been a having a rough time of it lately.  I thought that some company might do him good.’

 

‘How do you mean a rough time Pa?’ asked Hoss.

 

‘He’s lost a few patients in the last couple of weeks,’ explained his father. ‘First there was Bertha Parks and her baby and then Bert Willis.  Also, the cases of influenza out at the Chandler mine have him worried I know.  He’s tried to help those poor men, but a Doctor can only do so much.’  He shook his head. ‘There have been far too many deaths out there lately.’

 

‘But Pa,’ interrupted Joe. ‘None of those things was his fault.  Doc Martin can’t help it if people die.  Not if he’s done his best for em.’

 

‘I know that son,’ replied his father. ‘And so does Paul.  ‘But it must prey on his mind even so.  Being a Doctor would be a very emotionally draining thing for anyone at the best of times, and I suspect that Paul feels the loss of each patient more than any of us realise.’  He turned sharply as there was a knock on the door. ‘Ah!  Here he is now.’ They all looked at Joe, who sighed before standing up.

 

‘Don’t see why I’m always the one having to do this,’ he muttered as he walked to the door and opened it. ‘Hi Doc Martin,’ he said politely.

 

‘Hello Joseph,’ replied the Doctor as he entered the room and took off his coat. ‘I haven’t been called out to see you in a while.  Been feeling all right? Maybe I’d better give you a check up while I’m here.’ He winked at the others.

 

Joe frowned instantly. ‘I’m fine,’ he said anxiously. ‘Ain’t no need to give me a check up!’

 

Paul slapped the youngster on the back. ‘I’m only joking with you,’ he said. ‘I know that you’re fine.’ He held out his hand to Ben. ‘Nice to see you again old friend,’ he said. ‘Thank you for inviting me.’

 

‘I’m glad you could come Paul,’ said Ben as he motioned for the man to sit down.

 

‘I’d never turn down one of Hop Sing’s home-cooked meals,’ said the Doctor.

 

‘Well it’ll be a while yet,’ said Ben. ‘He’s still rattling pots and pans out there in the kitchen. Let’s have a brandy while we wait.’  He motioned to Joe again.

 

Joe walked over to where the table where the brandy and the glasses were and began pouring five drinks. He muttered under his breath as he did so. ‘Always me that has to do the fetching and carrying.’  As he handed the drinks around, he noticed his father raise an eyebrow at the fifth drink that was left on the table and gave him a weak smile as a form of request.  Ben hesitated before nodding slightly and Joe happily sat down with the brandy glass in his hand.  It was always a battle to get his father to understand that he was grown up now and should be included in the drinking like everyone else.  After all, he was sixteen, had left school now and was a full-time working man. It seemed to Joe sometimes that the only time his Pa seemed to condone alcohol for him was when he was sick!

 

Adam sat forward in his chair and spoke to Paul. ‘How are things out at the Chandler mine?’ he asked. ‘Any new cases?’

 

Paul sighed. ‘Not in the last couple of days,’ he said. ‘I just wish that I could help those poor men more who’ve already come down with it.’

 

‘They bad?’ asked Hoss sympathetically.

 

Paul nodded. ‘We’ve tried to isolate them in one of the buildings,’ he explained. ‘I’ve made them as comfortable as I can, but there’s not much that can be done for them apart from trying to keep their temperatures down.’  He sighed again. ‘Maybe one day we’ll have drugs that can help, but until then …’ He shook his head. ‘Sometimes a Doctor’s life is hard.’

 

Ben nodded sympathetically. ‘Is there anything we can do?’ he asked.

 

Paul smiled at the man. ‘The supplies you sent over were more than enough Ben,’ he said. ‘I just wish that I could get them into town and keep a closer eye on them there.’

 

‘We could help transport them,’ said Adam quickly. ‘There’s no need why they can’t stay in town is there?’

 

Paul nodded. ‘Well yes there is,’ he said. ‘A number of people have already made it very clear to me that they don’t want them in there,’ he said. ‘I think there would be a general uprising in town if I tried to relocate them.’

 

‘That ain’t right!’ declared Hoss.

 

‘They’re scared Hoss,’ said the Doctor calmly. ‘I can understand it.  No one wants an epidemic on our hands, least of all me. No … I’ll just continue to ride out there each day.  It’s the best way.’

 

‘It makes your life harder though,’ said Adam.  He studied the man carefully. ‘You look awfully tired Paul.’

 

Paul gave him a thin smile. ‘I am,’ he admitted. ‘I find that things happen this way usually. ‘Either I’ve got nothing to do for ages, or I’m inundated with one case after another.  At the moment I’m run off my feet.’

 

‘Well you have to look after yourself in all of this,’ said Ben firmly. ‘The people round here need you and we can’t afford for anything to happen to you.  Besides, we care too much about you.’

 

Paul smiled at him. ‘Thank you for saying that Ben,’ he said. ‘Sometimes I feel that people round here take my skills for granted. I suppose that’s just human nature though.’  He smiled as Hop Sing entered the room. ‘Ah!  It looks as though we may be ready to eat?’

 

Hop Sing grinned around at them all. ‘Dinner is ready!” he announced. ‘Doctor come sit at table now?’

 

‘Thank you Hop Sing,’ replied Paul as he followed Ben to the table. ‘I’m really looking forward to this.’

 

 

===============

 

 

‘How about it Adam?’ asked Joe hopefully. ‘We finished all the supplies and it’s darned hot!’  He took his hat off and wiped his forehead on his shirtsleeve for effect, just in case his older brother missed the point of his question. Adam didn’t say anything, but continued to count the sacks on the back of the buckboard, so Joe looked at Hoss and nudged him impatiently.

 

‘Um … yeah Adam,’ added Hoss helpfully. ‘I reckon we could all do with a drink.’

 

‘Would you two just stop carrying on?’ said Adam impatiently. ‘I have every intention of …’ He stopped as he spied the unusual wagon that was rattling down the street behind where his two brothers stood.

 

‘Every intention of what?’ asked Joe hopefully, oblivious to his brother’s distraction. ‘Of having a drink?’ he said hopefully. ‘Cause if that’s the case then …’ He stopped and turned as he noticed the frown on Adam’s face. ‘What’s that?’ he asked.

 

‘No idea,’ replied Adam.

 

Joe’s eyes lit up with a look that his brothers knew only too well. ‘Well let’s find out then,’ he said gleefully and sprang over the hitching rail before either of them could say another word.

 

‘Joe!’ called out Adam. ‘Come back here!’  He sighed as he realised that his brother was already halfway down the street.’

 

Hoss shook his head. ‘So much for that drink,’ he muttered. ‘I spose we’ll have to get him now.’  He trudged off after his younger brother, followed by Adam. ‘What do ya reckon it is Adam?’ he asked over his shoulder as his brother caught up to him.

 

‘Looks like some sort of travelling show,’ said Adam, watching the wagon keenly.  It was garishly painted with words written down one side.  Unfortunately they were too far away to read them properly.  By the time they caught up with Little Joe, their younger brother had elbowed his way into the crowd that had formed and was standing open-mouthed reading them.

 

‘Hey look at this!’ he said as his two brothers came to stand on either side of him. ‘Jeremiah’s Pains Killers,’ he read on the side of the wagon. ‘He must be a Doctor, don’t ya reckon?’

 

‘Highly unlikely,’ sniffed Adam. ‘No Doctor goes around advertising like that.’

 

‘Very true,’ said a voice beside him and all three Cartwrights turned to see Paul Martin standing there in the crowd.

 

‘What do ya make of it then Doc?’ asked Hoss.

 

Before the Doctor could open his mouth, a man appeared from behind the wagon and jumped up onto the seat at the front. ‘Friends!’ he called out as he waved his hands around. ‘I bring great news for you!’  There was a murmur through the crowd and several people pressed closer.  Joe looked around in great delight.  As far as he was concerned, anything new that promised to liven up their town was a good thing in his eyes. He smiled broadly and nudged Hoss.

 

‘I still reckon he’s a Doctor,’ he whispered. ‘Stand to reason, what with that stuff bout pain killers and all.  Don’t ya reckon Hoss?’

 

Hoss waved his arm away impatiently. ‘Shh!’ he said. ‘Listen.’

 

The crowd went silent as the man spoke again. ‘Jeremiah is the name,’ he said, smiling broadly at them all. ‘Jeremiah Godfrey to be precise.  And I’ve come to your fair town to be at your service good people.  I bring with me the answers to all your aches and pains.  Yes good people, never again will you need to suffer the agonies of toothache…. Never again will headaches plague you … never again will you be at a loss as to how to help your children when they are suffering their childhood ailments. I promise freedom from all your aches and pains.’  He picked up a bottle and tapped it. ‘Right here,’ he said. ‘The answer to all your prayers is right here in this bottle of painkiller.’

 

A man in the crowd laughed. ‘Yeah right!’ he shouted. ‘One bottle cures all eh?’  Several other people laughed with him.

 

Jeremiah turned to face the man. ‘No indeed my good man,’ he said firmly. ‘One bottle does not cure all.  This bottle is for many problems, however if you want a cure-all, I can provide it.’

 

‘Yeah?’ said the man. ‘What?’

 

Jeremiah pointed to the sky. ‘Faith!’ he shouted. ‘Faith is all it takes my good people!’

 

‘Faith in you?’ shouted the man with a sneer. ‘Yeah right!’

 

Jeremiah glared at him and shook his head vehemently. ‘No!’ he shouted. ‘Not faith in me!  Faith in the almighty Lord!’  The crowd stilled and Adam looked at Paul Martin and raised an eyebrow. ‘Consider me the instrument of his work,’ continued Jeremiah. He lowered his voice so that everyone had to strain to hear it. ‘I cannot tell you why,’ he said. ‘But the Almighty Lord has favoured me with the ability to be his instrument.  Through me he has done truly wonderful things.’

 

‘Yeah?’ sneered another man in the crowd. ‘Like what?’

 

‘I am not surprised that you would be cynical my dear man,’ Jeremiah replied. ‘However I can assure you that it is true. I have the power of healing.’

 

‘So we’re supposed to take your word on it?’ said a woman. ‘Sounds pretty lame to me.’

 

‘By all means you have the right to question,’ said Jeremiah. ‘All I can say is that I am willing to prove my worth to you.  Just name the time and place.’

 

‘I reckon it’s just a scam ta sell that there medicine you have!’ sneered the first man.

 

‘Then you need to be convinced don’t you?’ said Jeremiah. ‘Tell me how I can convince you?’

 

‘Cure someone who’s sick!’ shouted the man and everyone began to murmur again. ‘Go on … cure someone!’ he shouted again.

 

Jeremiah put up his hand to silence everyone. ‘All in good time,’ he said with a smile. ‘I invite all of you to a demonstration tonight.  I will be camped down by the river.’

 

‘Who ya gonna cure?’ shouted a woman.

 

‘Whoever decides to come forward,’ said Jeremiah with a smile.  He sat down and hitched up the reins of his wagon and the crowd parted as he continued to drive down the street.  As he disappeared around the corner everyone began to drift away, still murmuring about his words.

 

Presently there were only the three Cartwrights and Paul Martin left. ‘Well?’ said Adam. ‘What did you think Paul?  He seems the usual sort of charlatan to me.’

 

Paul shook his head and frowned. ‘I don’t know Adam,’ he said. ‘It depends on who he supposedly cures tonight.’

 

‘Huh?’ said Hoss. ‘What do ya mean Doc?’

 

‘Well Hoss usually people such as this have plants in the audience …’

 

‘Plants?’ asked Joe, puzzled.

 

‘People who are set up to be there and fake an illness,’ explained Adam. ‘He will probably have someone do that tonight and then supposedly cure them to impress everyone.’  He turned again to Paul. ‘You look a bit puzzled Paul,’ he said.

 

‘Well you must admit that he left his options open,’ said Paul with a shrug. ‘He said that he’d cure anyone who came along. He’s either very sure of himself or he’s bluffing that no one except his own plant will be here.’  He shrugged again. ‘Either way it’s bound to be the same sort of rubbish that it usually is.’

 

‘You’ve seen it before then Doc?’ asked Hoss.

 

‘Not him specifically,’ explained Paul. ‘But many others of his kind.’  He shook his head. ‘I just hope that he’s not too good at selling his own supposed powers here.  That sort of thing can do a lot of damage.’

 

‘How do you mean?’ asked Adam.

 

‘Getting everyone believing in his so-called powers and that medicine … well I can assure you that it’ll be nothing more than a few herbs thrown together … getting people all riled up like that can mean that they may disregard proper medical help when they might need it.’  He shook his head again. ‘Well hopefully this demonstration won’t go well and Mr Jeremiah Godfrey will move on quickly. I’ll see you later boys.  Say hello to your Pa for me.’

 

‘Will do Paul,’ said Adam. ‘Come on you two.  Time we were getting home.’

 

‘What about that drink?’ said Hoss. ‘We’ve still got time, ain’t we?’

 

Adam grinned at him. ‘All right,’ he said. ‘Just one I suppose.’  He turned to go. ‘Come on Joe,’ he said.

 

Joe turned. ‘What?’ he said absently. ‘Yeah OK.’  He fell into step beside his brothers. ‘I reckon it’ll be a real interesting demonstration tonight,’ he said. ‘I can hardly wait to see who he cures.’

 

‘Well you’ll be waiting a long time,’ said Adam with a short laugh. ‘Because you won’t be there to witness it.’

 

Joe frowned. ‘Why?’ he said. ‘Ain’t we going?’

 

‘I’m not.’

 

‘How come?  It should be right interesting. Don’t ya think?’

 

‘No I don’t.  Didn’t you just hear what Paul said?’ said Adam. ‘The man is a charlatan Joe … A fraud,’ he added when he saw his brother’s puzzled look at the word.

 

Joe shook his head firmly. ‘How do you know that?’ he said defensively. ‘You ain’t given him a chance yet! Don’t you reckon it’d be good to go to his demonstration Hoss?’

 

Hoss shrugged. ‘I dunno,’ he said. ‘I ain’t sure.’

 

‘Well one thing for sure I do know,’ said Adam firmly as they got to the Silver Dollar Saloon door. ‘There’s no way that Pa is going to let you go, even if you want to.’

 

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

 

‘No Joseph,’ said Ben firmly. ‘How many times would you like me to repeat that word?’

 

‘But Pa …’

 

‘Joseph!’

 

Joe glowered at his plate and then looked up at Hoss pleadingly. Hoss rolled his eyes. ‘Pa I was thinking of going,’ he said helpfully. ‘Joe could come with me.’

 

‘It isn’t just a matter of him going with someone Hoss,’ said Ben sternly. ‘I happen to agree with Adam.  This man sounds like quite a charlatan and I think that …’

 

‘But how do you know?’ interrupted Joe. ‘No one has even given him a chance!’

 

‘Look Joe,’ explained Adam calmly. ‘It just stands to reason doesn’t it?  I mean … he’s asking everyone to believe that God lets him perform miracles or something. It just isn’t logical.

 

Joe frowned at his brother, his calmness only irritating him more. ‘Well what’s so strange bout that anyway?’ he demanded. ‘What about all them saint people?  God let them perform miracles didn’t he? Why not this Mr Godfrey? For all you know Adam he could be one of them saints.’

 

Adam snorted. ‘Oh for heavens sake,’ he said.

 

Hoss laughed. ‘It might be,’ he said.

 

Adam turned to him. ‘Might be what?’ he asked.

 

‘For heaven’s sake,’ said Hoss and laughed again.  Little Joe giggled and even their father joined in.  Adam looked slightly miffed and said nothing.

 

‘Aw go on Pa,’ pleaded Little Joe. ‘You gotta admit that I’ll never learn bout whether these things are true or not iff’n I don’t get to see em.’  He gave his father one of his best puppy dog looks.

 

Ben hesitated and then put down his fork. ‘All right,’ he said. ‘But as long as you stay with Hoss. Hoss?  Don’t you let that boy out of your sight.  And I’ll expect you to come home as soon as it is over.  Understood?’

 

‘Understood Pa,’ said Little Joe. ‘Thanks Pa! Come on Hoss!’  He stood up and dragged Hoss to his feet as well.

 

Hoss grabbed another roll as he allowed his younger brother to lead him towards the doorway. ‘OK OK,’ he said with a laugh. ‘Settle down Joe.’

 

‘You’re not serious,’ said Adam to his father as his two brothers exited the room.

 

Ben shrugged. ‘Sometimes a parent has to allow his children to make their own mistakes,’ he said. ‘No matter how old they get,’ he added, eyeing Adam off. ‘Besides, one thing that Little Joe said was correct. He’ll never learn if he doesn’t get to experience things.’

 

Adam shrugged. ‘Well I only hope this man’s demonstration goes the way it should and shows him up for what he is,’ he said. ‘I’d hate to think of the townsfolk being hoodwinked by a man like that.’

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

 

By the time they got there, a substantial crowd had gathered around Jeremiah’s wagon.  Hoss muscled his way to the front of the crowd, Joe pushing up behind him until they were standing where they could get a good view. ‘I wonder when he’s gonna …’ Joe began and then stopped as Jeremiah appeared in front of his wagon.

 

‘Good evening one and all!’ the man shouted. ‘And thank you for coming.  As I said this afternoon, I am most happy to prove to you that I am a genuine bearer of good news for you.  Put your faith in the Lord and you will witness wonderful this here this very night.’  Joe looked around and grinned at a few people standing next to him while Hoss narrowed his eyes and stared at Jeremiah. ‘Well?’ continued the man. ‘Who is to be first?  Who will put their faith in the Almighty?’

 

No one spoke.

 

‘He can’t prove much if no one comes forward,’ Joe whispered to Hoss.

 

‘Quite right young man,’ said Jeremiah and Joe blushed and pulled his hat down over his face as he realised that everyone standing near had heard him. ‘This young man is correct when he says that I can’t prove anything to you if no one comes forward.’  Jeremiah looked around hopefully. ‘Who will it be?’ he asked. ‘Who will put their trust in the Lord?’

 

‘I will!’ said a voice from the back.  Everyone turned to see Jack Grantham who owned the Livery Stable standing there. Jack pushed his way to the front of the crowd and stood facing Jeremiah with his hands on his hips. ‘Cure me if you can!’ he challenged.

 

Jeremiah looked the other man up and down thoughtfully. ‘What exactly is wrong with you?’ he asked quietly.

 

Jack rolled up his sleeve and bared his arm to the crowd. ‘This,’ he said. ‘A horse stepped on it last week and it’s been hurting every time I move it since.’  He looked at Jeremiah smugly. ‘Let’s see ya cure that!’

 

Jeremiah motioned to him to come closer and Jack sat down on an upturned barrel next to the wagon. Jeremiah laid his hands on Jack’s arm and closed his eyes as he stood still for several minutes.  There was silence as everyone stared at the two men … a silence that became deeper with every second that passed.  Jack stared at Jeremiah, a flicker of doubt appearing in his eyes as the time passed.

 

Joe looked at Hoss. ‘What’s he doing?’ he whispered. ‘How long is he gonna take?’

 

Hoss signalled for his brother to be quiet. ‘Shh,’ he said. ‘Just wait.’  He watched the two men closely, noting Jack’s uneasiness as Jeremiah continued to stand still as a rock with his hands on his arm.

 

Finally, Jack could stand it no longer. ‘Well?’ he said in an uneasy tone. ‘Is that it?’

 

Jeremiah finally opened his eyes and smiled at the man before withdrawing his hands. ‘That is it.’

 

Jack stared at the man carefully and then began to move his arm tentatively.  Suddenly his face broke into a grin. ‘Hey1’ he shouted. ‘It feels better.’  He waved it around gleefully. ‘I ain’t feeling no pain now!’

 

There was a gasp from the crowd and everyone turned to face Jeremiah who merely stood still without saying a word. ‘Did ya see that Hoss?’ asked Joe. ‘He cured him!’

 

Hoss shook his head in disbelief. ‘I sure did,’ he said. ‘I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes but.’ The crowd began to surge forward and the two Cartwrights had to fight to stay where they were. ‘I reckon we should get outta here Joe,’ said Hoss over the noise. ‘Come on!’

 

‘I wanna stay!’ shouted back Joe. ‘Let’s watch and see what he’s gonna do next!’  He craned his neck to try to see over the crowd, but Hoss held onto his arm and dragged him towards the edge of it instead. ‘Hold on Hoss!” shouted Joe. ‘Lemme see!’

 

‘There ain’t nothing to see,’ said Hoss as they reached the edge of the crowd. ‘Look.’ He pointed to where Jeremiah was standing on the step of the wagon, raised up so that everyone could now see him plainly.

 

‘Steady on my good people!’ he was shouting. ‘There’s plenty for all!’

 

‘Plenty of what?’ asked Joe.

 

‘That Pain Killer stuff I reckon,’ replied Hoss. ‘Seems like he’s selling it now.’

 

‘But … but he didn’t use it ta cure Jack,’ said Joe. ‘Why would they all wanna buy it now?’

 

‘Don’t know,’ said Hoss. ‘Mebbe they reckon anything he sells is gonna be good. We’d better get out of here Joe.

 

‘I reckon we should buy some of that Pain Killer stuff too Hoss,’ said Joe, trying to avoid leaving. ‘I reckon Pa would like to see it.’

 

‘I reckon Pa would like to see us home on time better,’ replied Hoss firmly. ‘Sides, we’d never get any tonight.  Look at the crowd.’ It was true. Everyone who could manage to get close to Jeremiah was holding out their money and shouting to him. ‘Mebbe we can come back and get some tomorrow,’ said Hoss. ‘Come on Joe.  I promised Pa I’d get you home on time and I aim to.’  He pulled his brother away from the crowd.

 

‘Well all right,’ said Joe huffily. ‘But don’t blame me if Pa says we shoulda brought some home.  I reckon that Jeremiah is just what he claims to be don’t you Hoss? I reckon we done just saw one of them miracles.’

 

Hoss stroked his chin as they headed towards their horses. ‘I reckon so Joe,’ he mused. ‘Ya could be right at that.’

 

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

 

‘Pa it’s true!’ declared Joe. ‘You shoulda seen it!  Jack could move his arm as if it had never been hurt … and all that Jeremiah fellar did was put his hands on him.’  His eyes shone with the excitement of it all. ‘Hoss and me reckon it was one of them miracles, don’t we Hoss?’

 

Hoss shrugged. ‘I reckon so Pa,’ he said. ‘Jack sure was cured.’

 

Ben frowned. ‘Well perhaps his arm wasn’t hurt so badly to begin with,’ he said.

 

Hoss shook his head. ‘No sir,’ he said. ‘I saw the accident myself last week.  That horse stepped on his arm for sure.  Doc Martin said that the muscles was all torn.’

 

Ben looked at Adam who shook his head slightly. ‘Well all I can say is that it sounds as if this man made a lot of money tonight,’ said Ben finally. ‘I’m not sure how he did it, but …’

 

‘It was one of them miracles,’ interrupted Joe excitedly. ‘We was gonna get some of that Pain Killer stuff too, only Hoss wouldn’t let me.’  He shot Hoss an accusing look.

 

Adam gave a short laugh. ‘Well thank goodness for that,’ he said. ‘At least neither of you wasted your money.’

 

‘It wouldn’t have been a waste of money!’ declared Joe. ‘That stuff must really work.’

 

‘Really?’ replied Adam. ‘And why is that?’

 

‘Because … because if he cured Jack with just his hands … well imagine what he could do with that Pain Killer,’ said Joe indignantly. ‘You weren’t there Adam.  You didn’t see it!’

 

‘No I didn’t see it,’ replied Adam. ‘And I’m glad I didn’t waste the time.’

 

‘It was not a waste of time!’ declared Joe, his voice rising with his indignation. ‘You never believe anything.  Just because you think you know better all the time.’

 

‘Joseph that will do,’ said his father firmly as he stood up. ‘It sounds to me like you may be ready for bed young man. In fact I think it’s time we all turned in. We have church in the morning.’

 

Joe’s eyes lit up again. ‘After church, can we go and get some of that pain killer?’ he said.

 

Ben shook his head. ‘I don’t think so Joe,’ he said. ‘Come on now boys.  Bed.’  He turned down the lamp and walked towards the staircase, followed by Hoss.

 

Joe made a face at Adam in the dim light and then turned to follow his father and brother. Adam gave a short laugh before closing the book on his lap and standing up to follow them.

 

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

 

Ben looked around the crowd in the small churchyard and smiled as he spied Paul Martin near the gate. ‘Hello Paul,’ he said warmly as he approached the man. ‘How are you?’

 

Paul turned to shake Ben’s hand. ‘I’m fine thanks Ben,’ he said.

 

‘What’s the matter? You seem a bit distracted.’

 

‘I’ve just been listening to all the comments about that so called Faith Healer.  It seems like just about everyone was at the demonstration or at least has heard about it from someone who was.’

 

Ben nodded. ‘Hoss and Joe went to it,’ he said. ‘And from what they told me it sounds like he might have stirred things up a mite.’

 

Paul shook his head. ‘I believe so,’ he said. ‘I’m afraid that people will believe anything from a persuasive man like that.’

 

‘There’s something I don’t understand though Paul,’ said Ben. ‘Hoss assures me that Jack’s arm was definitely hurt.  I’ve known Jack Grantham for years … I can’t believe that he would be part of a ruse such as this.’

 

‘I don’t think he was,’ replied Paul. ‘At least not intentionally.  The mind is a strange thing Ben.  The power of suggestion can do wonders in the right situation.  If Jack really believed that this Jeremiah was capable of mending his arm, then his mind could have convinced his body that he was healed. Besides,’ he added ruefully. ‘I told him only yesterday that his arm was on the mend.  It was only a matter of time before he regain the full use of it.  I thik all this Jeremiah did was hasten the progress a bit.’

 

Ben nodded. ‘I see,’ he said. ‘So it wasn’t really that much of a miracle cure as this man would have us believe.’

 

‘No,’ said Paul. ‘Mind you Ben, there’s nothing wrong with what Jeremiah did. It’s not Jack Grantham’s arm that has me worried … it’s the fact that this man is using the power of suggestion to convince people to buy his so-called painkiller.  He’s acting as if it’s a miracle cure.’

 

‘I know what you mean,’ said Ben. ‘He’s cheating all these people into buying something that’s probably nothing more than snake oil … and everyone will keep handing over their money to him as long as he promotes it now.’

 

‘Well …’ began Ben. He stopped as Joe bounded up to them. ‘What is it Joseph?’ he asked. ‘I speaking to the Doctor.’

 

‘Oh sorry,’ said Joe with a grin. ‘Hi Doc Martin.  Pa I’m just gonna go over and get some of that painkiller stuff before we leave. OK?’

 

‘No …. Not OK,’ said Ben with a frown. ‘You are not going to waste your money on that nonsense Joseph.’

 

‘But Pa …’

 

‘Get into the buggy please.  I’m coming now.’  Ben turned to Paul as Joe walked away with a frown on his face. ‘See what I mean?’ he said, shaking his head. ‘That’s what is going to be going on around here now.’

 

‘We can only hope that this Jeremiah makes the money we want sin a hurry I suppose and then moves on,’ said Paul.

 

‘The sooner the better,’ agreed Ben. ‘The sooner the better Paul.’

 

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

 

‘I reckon you should get some and try it Hop Sing,’ said Joe as they sat at the table later that day. ‘It really works.’

 

‘What Hop Sing want crazy medicine for?’ asked the cook as he plonked down the platter of sandwiches on the table. ‘You eat lunch!’

 

‘It isn’t crazy medicine,’ said Joe defensively. ‘It really works.  Hoss and me saw this man cure someone’s arm.  I reckoned you’d be interested, what with knowing lots bout medicines and stuff.’

 

‘Do we have to talk about this?’ asked Adam as he reached for a sandwich. ‘It’s getting rather boring discussing this Jeremiah Godfrey every day.’

 

‘I agree,’ said Ben. ‘Eat your lunch Joseph.’

 

Joe took and sandwich and bit into it, then proceeded to talk with his mouth full. ‘Well I just thought that Hop Sing might be interested in it.’

 

‘Hop Sing not interested,’ the cook said firmly. ‘Got own medicines.  Not need crazy stuff from crazy man.’

 

‘It’d only be a concoction of herbs and things,’ said Adam.

 

‘So?’ countered Joe. ‘Isn’t that what most medicines are?’  He turned to Hop Sing. ‘What’s in lots of the medicines you give us when we’re sick Hop Sing?’

 

Hop Sing shrugged. ‘Herbs and stuff,’ he said grudgingly.

 

‘See?’ said Joe triumphantly. ‘Then what’s the difference?’  He eyes off his father and brothers. ‘There ain’t none.’  There was silence around the table as the others tried to come up with an answer for him. ‘Anyways,’ said Joe. ‘The main thing he does is that he lays his hands on people and they get cured. He’s one of them miracle workers,’ he told Hop Sing. Hop Sing snorted and left the room. ‘It’s true!’ said Little Joe indignantly. ‘I done heard this morning that he cured other people after we left.’

 

‘Yeah?’ asked Hoss. ‘Like who?’

 

‘A man who had a rash.  It disappeared.  And there was a baby who had something … I can’t remember what … anyway it stopped crying when he put his hands on him too.’

 

Adam snorted. ‘A rash and a crying baby?’ he sneered. ‘Doesn’t sound like much to me.  You really are gullible Joe.’

 

Joe’s face darkened at the insult. ‘I am not!” he said, even though he wasn’t sure what gullible meant. ‘Anyways, you’ll have to believe when he cures them miners who’ve got that influenza stuff.’

 

‘What?’ said Ben sharply. ‘Who told you that?’

 

‘Lots of people was talking bout it after church Pa,’ said Hoss. ‘Seems like they done told this Jeremiah bout all the men up at the Chandler mine what’s sick and he said that he’s gonna go up there and cure em all.’

 

Ben shook his head. ‘Paul won’t like to hear that,’ he said. ‘I think that Jeremiah person should stay away from there.’

 

‘Why?’ demanded Joe. ‘He can’t sure em.  Why should Jeremiah try?’

 

Ben pointed his finger at his youngest son. ‘Now that is enough Joseph!’ he said angrily. ‘I don’t want o hear any more of that sort of talk. Doctor Martin is the best there is around here and he’s the best chance those men have of recovering.’

 

Joe slid down in his chair. ‘Yes sir,’ he muttered. ‘I only meant …’

 

‘I know exactly what you meant,’ said his father. ‘And there will be no more of it.  I think it’s about time we talked about something else.  Personally I’m sick of hearing about this Jeremiah man.’  He picked up another sandwich and bit into it angrily.

 

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

 

‘You finish up here please son.  I need to go and see Paul Martin.’

 

Joe gave his father a grin. ‘OK Pa,’ he said. ‘And maybe if I’m lucky Adam will make it back to help huh?’

 

Ben laughed. ‘You just get those supplies loaded.  I’ll meet your brother at the bank and bring him back with me.’

 

‘Bet it’ll be too late for these supplies but!’ called out Joe with another grin as his father walked away. He gave a sigh and bent down to pick up another sack.

 

Ben was outside the bank when Adam came outside. ‘No problems Pa,’ he said. ‘I got that bank draft for you.’  He patted his pocket.

 

‘Thank you son,’ replied his father. ‘Now while Joe is finishing up loading those supplies I’d like to go past Paul’s office and see how he’s doing.’

 

‘You’re really worried about him aren’t you?’ asked Adam as he fell into stop beside his father.

 

‘Yes I am.  He sounded quite down the other day after church.  I think he’s been really rattled by this Jeremiah’s antics.’

 

Adam sighed as he looked over his shoulder towards the other end of the street where Jeremiah’s wagon was parked.  There was even now a small group of people around it. ‘I’m sure he is,’ he said. ‘It seems like more and more people are coming under his spell.’

 

Ben opened the door to Paul’s office. ‘I’m sure it won’t last,’ he said. ‘But in the meantime I think it’s important to support Paul through this.  It can’t be easy for him to watch his patients all going elsewhere.  Particularly when he knows that the man is a sham.’ He smiled as Adam shut the door behind them. ‘Hello Paul.  What on earth are you doing?’

 

The Doctor got down form the ladder he was standing on and wiped his hands on a cloth. ‘Just a bit of painting,’ he said. ‘I’ve been wanting to freshen this office up for a long time, but I never seem to have the time.  I do now though,’ he added ruefully.

 

‘Business not good?’ Adam sympathised.

 

‘It’s been better,’ said Paul. ‘Have a seat please.’  He motioned to the small table and chairs in the office and began to pour some coffee out for his guests. ‘I can’t complain though really. In a way it’s nice to have some quiet time.’  His look as he handed the cups to Ben and Adam belied his words, however. Ben and Adam exchanged a worried look as the man continued. ‘It seems that everyone is going to Jeremiah Godfrey instead of here.’

 

‘It won’t last Paul,’ said Ben. ‘You know that it won’t.’

 

‘I thought that was the case Ben, but with every day that passes the man seems more intent on staying.  Why would he move on if they keep spending their money on that pain killer of his after all?  He must be making a fortune.’

 

‘You can’t be serious,’ said Ben.

 

‘Unfortunately I am,’ replied Paul. ‘It seems as if he’s been laying his hands on enough people to make them firmly convinced that he has this power of healing.  Mind you .., so far they’re only for minor problems and he doesn’t done anyone any harm, but I fear that the day will come when someone will have faith in him for something serious and then there will be a real problem.’  He sighed. ‘It’s not just myself I’m worried about here Ben.  I have the health and safety of all my patients to worry about and I’m afraid for them.’

 

Ben laid a hand over that of the Doctor’s on the table. ‘Paul I understand what you’re saying, but you can’t take on the problems of everyone in this town.  If people decide to go to this man it’s their decision not yours.  You can’t protect them if they’re not willing to protect themselves.’

 

‘I know,’ said Paul. ‘It’s just hard to stand by and watch good people being hoodwinked by him.’  He smiled. ‘Well at least I can get some fishing in until this blows over.  It s chance to relax for a while.’

 

‘Come on out to dinner again tomorrow night,’ suggested Ben. ‘We’d love to have you.’

 

Paul smiled at him. ‘Thank you Ben,’ he said. ‘I believe I will.’  He stood up. ‘Well, back to the painting.  At least this office will look better when I’m finished.’

 

‘He’s right you know,’ said Adam as they walked along the sidewalk. ‘there could be a serious problem if people continue to avoid going to him. I heard in the bank that Jeremiah’s been out to the Chandler mine as Joe said.  It seems that the men have started to get better and everyone is sure that it’s all die to him.’

 

‘It’s probably due to the care that Paul gave them during the past week,’ said Ben bitterly. ‘This Jeremiah Godfrey is just taking the credit for it coming in when they were most likely on the mend anyway.’

 

‘Well whichever way you look at it, he’s got the people of this town convinced that he’s got some kind of power,’ said Adam. ‘I sure hope they don’t regret it.’

 

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

 

Joe sat on the back of the loaded buckboard, swinging his legs and whistling softly as he waited. ‘Well look who we’ve got here!’ said a voice beside him and he grinned to see his good friend Mitch Devlin standing with his hands on his hips grinning at him.

 

‘Hi Devlin,’ he said. ‘What’s up?’

 

‘I’m on my way to the Silver Dollar for a well-earned drink,’ said Mitch with a twinkle in his eye. ‘I’ve finished all the work for my Pa in here and I reckon I’ve earned it.  Come on and join me.’

 

Joe shook his head. ‘Ain’t possible Mitch,’ he said. ‘Pa and Adam will be along in a few minutes and Pa’d skin my hide if I wasn’t here.’

 

‘What’s the problem,’ said Mitch, leaning against a pole and surveying his friend. ‘You’ve finished loading all that ain’t you? Surely your Pa couldn’t begrudge you one drink?’  He tossed a coin in the air. ‘I’m paying,’ he said enticingly.

 

Joe looked over his shoulder furtively. ‘Well seeing as how you’re paying,’ he said, springing down for the buckboard. ‘They ain’t here yet, so I reckon maybe I can fit in one drink and be back before they are.’  He swung his arm around his friend’s shoulder. ‘Come on then buddy,’ he said happily. ‘Lead the way.’

 

The two friends entered the Silver Dollar and ordered their drinks immediately, leaning on the bar as they drank. ‘So,’ said Joe as he swallowed his beer and licked his lips. ‘What you doing in town Mitch?’

 

‘Just some jobs for my Pa,’ said Mitch. ‘How bout you?’

 

‘Just getting them supplies,’ said Joe. ‘Pa and Adam had some business at the bank too.’  He leaned back and bumped a man standing beside him. ‘Oh… sorry,’ he said.

 

‘You you pushing?’ growled the man angrily. ‘Keep ya hands to yaself kid!’

 

‘I said I was sorry,’ said Joe. ‘Stop going on about it.’

 

‘Listen you,’ said the man, straightening up and grabbing Joe by the collar.

 

Mitch stepped in between the two of them. ‘It was an honest mistake mister,’ he said. ‘My friend didn’t mean nothing by it.’

 

The man shoved Mitch out of the way with one hand, while still holding onto Joe with the other. ‘You stay out of this sonny,’ he said. ‘This is between this kid and me.’

 

Joe tried to wriggle out of the man’s grasp. ‘Now you listen to me!’ he shouted. ‘I said I was sorry.  Why don’t you just shut up and ….’  He gasped as the man drew back his fist and punched him hard in the stomach. ‘Ow!’ he yelled and doubled over in pain. ‘What did ya go and do that for?’

 

The large man stood over him and drew back his fist again, but put it down when the bartender bent down and drew out the rifle he kept under the bar and pointed it at him. ‘That’s enough!’ he shouted. ‘The two of you get out of here!’

 

‘But I ain’t done nothing!’ shouted Joe. ‘It was him!’  He pointed at the man angrily. ‘All I did was …’

 

‘I said that’s enough!’ shouted the bartender. ‘Now both of you out!’  He watched as the large man threw down a few coins on the bar and strode out side.

 

Mitch took hold of Joe by the arm. ‘Come on Joe,’ he said. ‘Best we get out of here.’  He led his friend outside where he looked at him anxiously. ‘Are you all right?’ he asked. ‘That big fellar really hit you good in there.’

 

Joe straightened up. ‘I’m all right,’ he said ruefully. ‘Just angry.  We didn’t get to finish our drinks.’

 

‘Maybe that’s for the best,’ replied Mitch. ‘Here comes your Pa and Adam.’ He pointed up the street to where the two men were. ‘I’d best see ya later Joe.  You sure you’re OK?’

 

‘Yeah I’m fine,’ said Joe, rubbing his stomach. ‘Takes more than one punch to worry me. See ya Mitch.’  He strode over to the buckboard and reached it at exactly the same time as his father and brother.

 

‘And where have you been?’ asked Ben sternly.

 

‘Just over there talking to Mitch Devlin,’ answered Joe.

 

Ben nodded. ‘Well climb up then. It’s time we were on our way home.’

 

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

 

Joe rubbed his stomach absently as he sat down at the table and then pulled his hand away quickly, well aware that his father might see him.  Joe had no intention of telling anyone that his stomach was hurting, least of all his father.  Firstly there was the question of where it had happened … and Ben was sure to be angry with him for having gone into the saloon in the first place … and secondly Joe wasn’t prepared for all the fuss that would surely happen if he did tell.  Especially with Doc Martin sitting right here at the same table.  He smiled weakly and ignored the pain.  After all, it was just because of the bruise on his stomach, he reasoned.  It wouldn’t last too long.

 

‘Joe?’

 

Joe looked up and saw his father giving him a puzzled look. ‘Yeah?’ he said.

 

Ben held the platter out towards him. ‘I asked if you wanted some corn.’

 

Joe shook his head. ‘No thanks,’ he muttered and went back to studying his plate.

 

Ben gave his youngest son a puzzled look and then handed the platter to Paul. ‘Here you go Paul,’ he said. ‘Have some of this.’

 

‘Thank you Ben,’ said the Doctor as he took it. ‘Another fine meal Hop Sing,’ he continued. ‘You’re really spoiling me at the moment.’

 

‘We’re happy for your company,’ said Ben warmly as they all began to eat.

 

‘At least someone is,’ said Paul, trying to keep the bitterness out of his voice. ‘No one else seems to want anything to do with me.’

 

‘Ah Doc Martin … ya know that ain’t true!’ said Hoss. ‘Folks round here think the world of ya!’

 

Paul tried to smile. ‘They’re all so caught up with Jeremiah Godfrey at the moment Hoss that I’m not sure what they think of me to tell you the truth. No one comes to me for advice at all.  I’m beginning to wonder if I’m needed here to tell you the truth.’

 

Ben frowned. ‘Paul don’t you dare say that,’ he said. ‘Of course the people around here need you. You’ve proved that time and time again.’

 

Paul sighed. ‘I know Ben.  It’s just that at the moment I feel useless.  Less than useless actually. This Jeremiah Godfrey is proving to be quite a hit in town.’

 

‘He sure is,’ said Joe, putting his head up. ‘He done cured all them miners at the Chandler mine.’

 

‘Joseph!’ said Ben angrily.

 

Joe gave his father an indignant look. ‘What?’ he said. ‘He did!  I heard tell that there ain’t one man sick out there at all now.’

 

Ben pointed his fork at his son. ‘I said that is enough!’ he repeated angrily.  ‘I’ll have you know …’

 

‘Don’t Ben,’ interrupted Paul. ‘The boy is only saying what everyone else in town is.  They credit him with everyone who is cured, no matter what hand I’ve had in it. It’s not the boy’s fault that he thinks like that.’

 

‘Even so…’ Ben continued to glare at Joe who eventually put his head down and studied his plate.  He put his hand up again and rubbed his stomach under the table.

 

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

 

‘What’s the matter?’ asked Hoss as he stared at his younger brother. ‘Hold onto it, will ya?’

 

Joe tried to hold the piece of wire tighter, but the movement caused him to catch hold of his sore stomach with his free hand.

 

Hoss glanced over at him. ‘You hurting or something?’ he asked.

 

‘No. Why would I be hurting?’

 

‘Just wondering.  The way you’re holding your stomach like that is all.’

 

Joe let go of his stomach. ‘Mind your own business,’ he muttered. ‘Ain’t nothing wrong with me.’

 

Hoss cut the end of the wire off and stood up. ‘If you say so little brother,’ he said. ‘Come on, let’s get this wagon load back to the ranch.’  He walked over to the wagon and put his tools away, while Joe slowly bent down to pick up the left-over wire on the ground. ‘You sure you’re OK?’ asked Hoss again as he eyed off the slow way his brother was moving.

 

Joe sighed. ‘I said I was, didn’t I?’  He climbed up slowly beside his brother and Hoss hitched up the reins. ‘Hey Hoss?’

 

‘Yeah?’

 

‘Do you think that Doc Martin meant it last night when he talked bout not being needed round here?’

 

‘I reckon so,’ said Hoss thoughtfully. ‘Pa says that he’s real down bout all this stuff with Jeremiah.’

 

Joe nodded. ‘Well I don’t see why they can’t both look after people round here,’ he said. ‘There’ll be plenty of sick people for em both come winter.’

 

‘I don’t think that’s the important thing,’ mused Hoss. ‘I don’t right understand all of it Joe, but I do know that Doc Martin sorta feels like no one trusts him.’

 

‘Why not? He’s cured lots of folks round here before.’

 

‘Well yeah, but seeing as how lots of em is going to Jeremiah I reckon he sorta feels like …’  Hoss scratched his head as he searched for the words. ‘Sorta like … they’re … sorta like … putting their faith in the wrong thing I reckon.’

 

Joe frowned and tried to hold his stomach without his brother noticing it. ‘Sorta like they don’t have faith in him?’ he asked.

 

‘Yeah,’ agreed Hoss. ‘I reckon so.’

 

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

 

‘I just don’t know what to say to him any more,’ said Ben. ‘It’s as if he has no interest in anything any more.’

 

‘I know what you mean,’ replied Adam. ‘I saw him in town yesterday and he looked terrible.’  He hesitated. ‘Pa I think he’d been drinking pretty heavily.’

 

Ben gave his son a startled look. ‘No!’ he said. ‘Not Paul!  You must have be mistaken Adam.’

 

Adam shook his head. ‘I sure hope I am,’ he said. ‘I hate to think of a man like that going so far down that he has to resort to drink to get him through it. Pa he’s still talking about giving it all up and leaving.  He hinted at it when I spoke to him.’

 

Ben banged his fist on his desk. ‘That’s it!’ he said angrily. ‘I will not have that man treated in this way!’

 

‘Well what are you going to do?’ asked Adam. ‘You can’t force the people to go to him can you?’

 

‘I can sure try,’ said Ben. ‘I’m going to call a town meeting for tomorrow.  Let’s see what the good people of this town think about the fact that they might soon be without a Doctor because of their foolishness.’  He banged his fist on the table again. ‘Come on son, let’s spread the word about this meeting.’

 

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

 

Joe got down from his horse slowly and squared his shoulders as he looked around.  It seemed that coming into town this early had been the right thing to do as there was no one at Jeremiah’s wagon at all.  Joe hated going behind his father’s back like this and much and all as he wanted to help Doc Martin out by going to him about his problem, he knew that of he did his father would find out about it and that was something that Joe was wasn’t prepared for. Besides, he thought as he approached the wagon, this was a good chance to try some of that pain killer stuff as he’d wanted to.

 

‘Hello?’ he called out and smiled as Jeremiah poked hi head out of the back of the wagon. ‘Hi,’ he said.

 

‘Hello young man,’ said Jeremiah. ‘What can I do for you?’

 

‘I was wondering … Joe licked his lips. ‘I was wondering if I could ask for your help.’

 

Jeremiah looked him up and down.’ Not feeling too good are you?’ he asked as he noticed the way that Joe was holding himself around the waist.

 

Joe shook his head. ‘No,’ he said. ‘Not really.’

 

‘Well come on into the wagon then and I’ll see what I can do for you,’ said Jeremiah, poking his head back inside again.

 

Joe climbed up into the wagon gingerly and looked around.  It was full of countless bottles of the man’s pain killer that were stacked in boxes against the canvas sides and a small mattress where Jeremiah obviously had been sleeping was at the back. Jeremiah motioned for Joe to sit down next to him. ‘You’re that kid that was at my first demonstration aren’t ya?’ the man asked. ‘I remember you in the front of the crowd.’

 

‘Yeah, I was there,’ said Joe. ‘I saw you cure Jack’s arm.’

 

‘Oh yes.  You were the young man who urged someone to come forward weren’t you?  So … what can I do for you?  Stomach problem?’ He pointed to Joe’s midriff where he was holding himself.

 

‘Yeah.  I got hit a few days ago,’ replied Joe. ‘I was thinking that I could get some of that pain killer stuff you’ve got.’

 

Jeremiah’s eyes narrowed. ‘You’re one of them Cartwrights, ain’t ya?  From out at that big ranch?’

 

‘Yeah.’

 

‘I assume you have money to pay for it?’

 

‘Yeah.’

 

Joe took some coins out of his pocket and Jeremiah smiled. ‘I think I can do more for you than just my pain killer,’ he said. ‘Lean back.’

 

Joe leant back towards the side of the wagon and watched silently as Jeremiah undid the buttons of his shirt and looked at the large bruise. ‘Pretty big hit I’d say,’ he said.

 

‘Yeah.’

 

Jeremiah looked at Joe intently. ‘Do you have faith?’ he asked.

 

‘How do you mean?’

 

‘Do you have faith that I can cure you? Do you have faith …. What’s your name?’

 

‘Joe.’

 

‘Do you have faith Joe that the Lord Almighty will cure you through me?’

 

‘I guess so.’

 

Jeremiah placed his hands on Joe’s stomach and closed his eyes. Joe stared at him while he sat silent and still, wondering what was coming next. Suddenly Jeremiah opened his eyes and deep into Joe’s. ‘You must have faith that I can cure you,’ he said quietly.

 

Joe nodded, feeling strangely drawn to this man. ‘I do,’ he said eagerly.

 

‘You believe that I can take your pain away?’

 

Joe nodded again. ‘Yes,’ he said.

 

Jeremiah closed his eyes again and breathed deeply a few times as Joe watched. Suddenly his eyes opened again. ‘How is the pain now?’ he asked.

 

Joe thought for a moment. ‘Better,’ he said and then grinned. ‘Hey!  It does really feel better I reckon.’

 

Jeremiah removed his hands and reached over to pick up a bottle of painkiller. ‘Take a swig of this,’ he said. ‘It will help.’  He watched as Joe drank a couple of mouthfuls and then handed him another bottle. ‘Better take two,’ he said. ‘Keep drinking it every hour.  Two mouthfuls at a time.  I promise you that the pain will disappear.’

 

‘It has already,’ said Joe with a grin as he tucked in his shirt again. ‘It really has!’

 

Jeremiah held out his hand and Joe put the coins into it eagerly. ‘Is that enough?’ he asked and then dug into his pocket as Jeremiah said nothing, but merely looked at the coins on his palm. ‘There,’ said Joe as he emptied his pocket of all the coins he had and placed them onto the man’s hand. ‘Thanks.’

 

Jeremiah nodded. ‘Tell your friends,’ he said as he pocketed the money quickly.

 

‘Oh I will,’ said Joe, hopping down from the wagon quickly. ‘Thanks a lot.’  He whistled under his breath as he walked quickly towards his horse.  Jeremiah watched him for a moment and then smiled before withdrawing his head again into the wagon.

 

 

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

 

‘Well you’re sounding quite chirpy today,’ said Ben as Joe laughed aloud at something that Hoss had said. Frankly he was pleased to see it, as the boy had looked quite peaky lately and was beginning to worry his father. ‘Any particular reason?’

 

‘Nope, said Joe with his mouth full. ‘Just feeling good is all.’

 

‘Well I’m glad to hear that someone around here is feeling good,’ said his father. ‘Adam? Did you manage to get the word about the meeting to all those ranchers on your list?’

 

‘Sure did Pa,’ said Adam. ‘Some of them didn’t see the point of it though.’

 

‘I know,’ replied his father. ‘Neither did a few of those I spoke to as well.  We’ll have to just wait and see what happens.’

 

‘Do you really think that you’ll be able to persuade them into going back to Paul with their problems?’ asked Adam.

 

‘I certainly hope so son.  They can’t honestly let that man pack up and leave here without a fight. Surely this fascination with Jeremiah just isn’t worth that.’

 

‘Especially as he’s such a fraud,’ added Adam. ‘I don’t know how he’s been getting away with it all this time to be honest.’

 

‘He ain’t a fraud,’ said Joe in a low voice.

 

Adam shook his head. ‘We’ve been through all this before Joe,’ he said.

 

‘He ain’t a fraud,’ said Joe firmly.

 

Adam rolled his eyes at his father. ‘There’s no point arguing with some people,’ he said.

 

‘You think you know everything,’ said Joe in a testy voice. ‘But you don’t, ya know.’

 

That will do,’ said Ben firmly. ‘From both of you.’  He gave both of his sons a firm look.

 

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

 

Joe pulled his handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped his forehead with it.  With a sigh he picked up his axe again and looked at it dispiritedly, wondering why he felt so tired today.  Happily, the pain hadn’t returned since he’d been taking that painkiller that Jeremiah had given him, but he couldn’t shake off the feeling that something wasn’t quite right nevertheless.

 

‘You’d better get back to it,’ said Hoss, coming up beside him. ‘Pa will have your hide if that wood ain’t finished when and Adam get back from that meeting in town.’

 

‘I’m doing it,’ said Joe. He wiped his face again. ‘It’s just so hot today that’s all.’

 

‘Ain’t hot at all,’ snorted Hoss. ‘Quit whining and making excuses not ta get that work done.’

 

Joe shot him a dark look and wiped his face again. For some reason, his brother was irritating him today. In fact, a lot of things seemed to have been irritating him since breakfast. ‘I’m doing it,’ he said and lifted his axe again.

 

Hoss began to whistle as he walked over to the barn.  That Joe sure was good at stalling to get his chores done, that was for sure.  He put a bridle on his horse and picked up his saddle with one hand, while leading Chubb out of the barn with the other.  With another glance over at Joe he gave a satisfied grunt as he noticed that the youngster was chopping wood again.  Hoss swung his saddle up onto Chubb and was tightening the cinch underneath when he heard a strangled cry and turned in surprise.

 

Joe was crouched down on the ground, the axe beside him.  ‘I’d get up and get back ta work if I was you!’ shouted Hoss. ‘Quit clowning around Joe!’  He frowned as he realised that there was no response from the youngster. ‘Joe?’ he said as he walked over to his brother. ‘Joe are you OK?’  He crouched down next to him and put his hand on his brother’s forehead. ‘What’s the matter with ya boy?’ he said, his mood instantly turning to one of concern when he felt how hot Joe was. ‘Are ya sick?’

 

Joe looked up at Hoss and tried to sit up properly. ‘I’ll be OK,’ he said. ‘I just felt …’  He swayed a little and Hoss gathered him into his arms.

 

‘I reckon you’d better come inside and lie down for a bit,’ he said. ‘Come on Joe.’  He picked the young man up as it became obvious to him that Joe was in no condition to walk by himself. With a worried look at his brother he headed into the house with him and laid him on the sofa. ‘Joe?’ he said. ‘Joe, are you OK?’

 

Joe groaned softly. ‘I’m feeling bad Hoss,’ he said. ‘Real bad,’

 

‘Where’s it hurt?’ asked Hoss anxiously. ‘You got a pain somewhere Joe?’

 

Joe shook his head feebly. ‘No pain,’ he said. ‘I just feel …. Funny.’  He groaned again. ‘Everything is sorta …. I don’t feel good Hoss.’  With a considerable effort he lifted his head and vomited violently onto the floor, while Hoss looked on helplessly.

 

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

 

‘I just don’t see what the problem is Ben,’ said Angus Morton. ‘You say that Paul is thinking of leaving.  Surely that’s his decision, not ours?’

 

Ben gave the man a frustrated look. ‘Don’t you see?’ he said. ‘This town will not survive long without a Doctor man!  We need Paul.  Besides, he’s a good friend to a lot of us.  We need to help him.’

 

‘How? Surely you don’t expect us to stop going to this Jeremiah Godfrey just to keep Paul Martin here?’ shout someone from the back of the hall. ‘I think it’s our choice who we go to after all.’

 

‘Of course it’s your choice,’ said Ben. ‘But why put your faith in this man when we have a perfectly good Doctor here in town? Have some sense man!’

 

‘Seems to me like you’re the one with no sense at the moment,’ said Angus. ‘This Jeremiah has cured more people during these past few weeks than Paul Martin has in all the time he’s been here. ‘I reckon Jeremiah is the one we should be making sure stays, not Paul.’

 

‘Have you no sense man?’ asked Ben.

 

‘I have a lot of sense Cartwright,’ shouted Angus. ‘Its obvious that …’ He stopped as the door was flung open and Hoss came running into the hall.

 

‘Pa!’ shouted Hoss.

 

Ben turned quickly, Adam immediately at his side. ‘What is it Hoss?’ he asked. ‘We’re in the middle of a meeting here.’

 

Hoss looked around and then addressed his father again. ‘Pa!  It’s Little Joe Pa … He’s not good.’

 

Ben took a step forward. ‘What do you mean he’s not good?’ he said anxiously. ‘What happened?  Has there been an accident?’

 

Hoss shook his head. ‘No.  No accident.  He just ain’t good Pa.  He collapsed when he was splitting wood.  I got him outside in the wagon.’

 

Ben rushed from the hall without another word, followed closely by Hoss and Adam and several of the other men. He made straight for the wagon which was parked in front of the hall and leant over the side of it where Joe was lying, covered by a blanket which he was trying to pluck off himself fretfully. ‘Joe!’ Ben said. ‘Joseph? Can you hear me son?  What is it?  What’s the matter?’

 

Joe opened his eyes slightly and stared up at his father. ‘I’m … I don’t know … Pa,’ he said. ‘I just … feel … a bit … funny.’

 

Ben stroked the hair from his son’s pale brow. ‘He’s very hot,’ he said. ‘I think we should get him to Paul straight away.

 

‘Take him to Jeremiah,’ suggested Angus. ‘He’ll fix him up right quick.’

 

Ben turned and gave the man a hard look. ‘I’ll take my son to a reputable Doctor,’ he said firmly. ‘Adam, run down to Paul’s office and let him know we’re bringing Joe down.  Hoss, you drive the wagon.  I’ll get in the back with Joe.’

 

As they pulled up in front of the Doctor’s office, Ben jumped down form the back of the wagon. ‘Help me with him Hoss,’ he said. ‘Quickly now.’  They carried Joe to the front door, which was opened by Adam as they got there.  Ben and Hoss took Joe straight inside and laid him on the Doctor’s examining table. ‘Where is Paul?’ asked Ben as he leant over Joe and felt his forehead again. ‘Isn’t he here?’

 

‘Yes he’s here,’ said Adam.

 

Ben turned to face his son. ‘Where?’ he said. Adam pointed to the corner of the room, where Paul was seated at a small table.  He was fingering a glass and staring at a bottle of whiskey that was in front of him. ‘Paul!’ said Ben. ‘Joe isn’t well.’

 

Paul looked up at Ben, his eyes slightly glazed. ‘Well what did you bring him here for?’ he asked.

 

Ben looked confused. ‘What do you mean why did we bring him here?’ he asked. ‘Where else would I bring him?’

 

Paul laughed. ‘Down there,’ he said, waving his arm in the direction of the street. ‘Down there where all the others go.’  He put his head down on the desk and was silent.

 

Ben strode over and pulled the man’s head up again. ‘Paul!” he said. ‘Snap out of it!’  He glanced at the half empty whiskey bottle on the table and shook his head before turning to Adam. ‘Get some coffee,’ he said. ‘And make it strong. Hoss … get over here and help Adam pour it down Paul’s throat.’

 

‘Told you this was the wrong place to bring him,’ said Angus from the open doorway. ‘’Best get him down the road to Jeremiah Ben.  Looks like the Doc is in no condition to help your boy.’

 

Ben walked over to the door and shut it firmly before going back to Joe again. ‘Get that coffee into him quickly,’ he instructed Adam as he entered the room again with a pot in one hand and a cup in the other. ‘Hurry up … Joe needs him!’

 

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

 

Ben wiped the cloth over his son’s hot forehead and patted him on the shoulder. ‘Mmm, that feels good,’ Joe muttered under his breath.

 

Ben stared down at the fevered face before him and frowned.  Joe was obviously not well, yet he kept insisting that he wasn’t in any pain. He glanced over his shoulder to where Adam and Hoss were sitting next to Paul. ‘How is he?’ he asked.

 

‘I’m fine,’ Paul answered, before either Cartwright could speak. He put down the coffee cup in his hand. ‘I’m just embarrassed Ben.’

 

‘There’s no need to be embarrassed after what you’ve been through,’ said Ben. ‘But if you’re feeling better Paul, I’d sure appreciate you taking a look at Joe for me.’  He patted Joe’s cheek and smiled at him in spite of the fact that the youngster had his eyes firmly shut.

 

Paul stood up and walked over, bending over the examining table. ‘He’s feverish,’ he said. ‘How long has he been like this?’

 

Ben looked at Hoss who answered. ‘He weren’t feeling too good when he was splitting wood bout two hours ago,’ he said. ‘He kinda fell over and couldn’t get up again.  When I took him inside he was like he is now … all hot … and he threw up three times.’

 

Paul frowned. ‘Three times?’ he said.

 

Hoss nodded. ‘Once at the house and then twice more on the way here,’ he answered. ‘I kept having ta stop the wagon ta help him.’

 

Paul undid Joe’s shirt and frowned even more when he saw the remains of the large bruise that was on his stomach. ‘When did this happen?’ he asked.

 

Ben shook his head. ‘I have no idea,’ he said. ‘I didn’t know it was there.’  He looked questioningly at Adam and Hoss who both shook their heads as well.

 

‘It looks a few days old,’ said Paul. ‘If this is related to his fever we could be in for some trouble. He began to poke Joe’s stomach carefully. ‘We say he’s been in no pain though?’

 

‘No,’ said Ben. ‘He says not.’

 

‘I can’t understand how if …’  Paul tapped Joe on the cheek a couple of times. ‘Joe?’ he said. ‘Joe can you hear me?’  Joe groaned slightly and tried to turn his face away. ‘Joe?’ he tried again. ‘Open your eyes son.’ Joe’s eyes opened slightly and he looked up at the Doctor. ‘Are you in any pain?’ asked Paul. ‘Can you feel anything?’

 

Joe shook his head. ‘No,’ he said. ‘No pain.’

 

Paul shook his head again. ‘I can’t understand it,’ he said. ‘Fever like this is coming from somewhere. There should be …’

 

‘No pain,’ muttered Joe again. ‘It don’t … hurt. Took the pain …. killer.’

 

Paul bent over him again. ‘You took what pain killer?’ he asked anxiously. ‘Joe?’  He tapped Joe’s cheek again and Joe dragged his eyes open a second time. ‘What pain killer did you take Joe?’ he asked . ‘Was it something from Jeremiah?’ Joe nodded his head and shut his eyes again. Paul stood up and faced Ben. ‘I need to know what was in that pain killer,’ he said.

 

Ben turned to Adam. ‘Adam ….’ But before he could get any more words out, both Adam and Hoss had left the room. Ben turned to Paul again. ‘What is it?’ he asked.

 

‘That’s the problem Ben,’ replied the Doctor. ‘With whatever he’s taken masking the pain, I have no way of knowing exactly what the problem is.’  He glanced down at Joe again. ‘Whatever he’s given the boy has only masked the pain.  The real cause of the problem is still there.’  He ran his fingers through his hair. ‘I knew something like this would happen,’ he muttered. ‘I’m just sorry it had to be one of yours that it happened to Ben.’

 

Ben put his hands on Paul’s shoulders. ‘What can you do for him?’ he asked simply.

 

Paul shook his head. ‘Nothing at the moment,’ he said. ‘Probably nothing anyway,’ he added bitterly. He glanced up and looked at Ben’s face. ‘I’m sorry Ben,’ he said. ‘I didn’t mean that. I’m just … I don’t know.’  Ben nodded sympathetically. ‘I need to talk to that man,’ Paul went on.

 

 

‘Don’t you worry,’ said Ben confidently. ‘My boys will bring him here.’

 

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

 

‘I said move!’ shouted Adam, pulling out his gun and pointing it at Jeremiah. ‘Now!’

 

‘All right, all right!’ said the man, holding up his hands. ‘I’m coming. Don’t get so irate my good man.’

 

‘And we’ll just bring some of that there pain killer,’ added Hoss, picking up a bottle. ‘The Doc wants ta see what’s in it.’ He shoved Jeremiah in front of him and the three of them walked down the street towards Paul’s office. As they entered it, Hoss gave Jeremiah another shove. ‘Here he is Doc,’ he said. ‘Him and some of that there pain killer.’

 

Jeremiah and Paul looked each other up and down for a second. ‘So you’re the Doc round here,’ said Jeremiah, holding out his hand. ‘Pleased to meet you Doc.’

 

Paul ignored the other man’s hand and instead grabbed the bottle that Hoss was holding out to him. ‘What is in this?’ he demanded.

 

Jeremiah shrugged. ‘Bits of things,’ he said, glancing over Paul’s shoulder at Joe was still lying on the examining table. ‘That’s the boy … Joe …. who I treated the other day.’

 

‘Treated!’ snorted Ben. ‘That’s my son and you did nothing of the kind. Treated indeed! You did more harm than good for the boy.’  He took a step forward. ‘Is this the pain killer you gave him?’ he asked. ‘What else did you do to him?’

 

Jeremiah gave Ben a long appraising stare. ‘You’re the boy’s father?’ he asked.

 

‘I just said I was,’ shouted Ben. ‘Out with it man!  What did you do to him?’

 

‘I healed him,’ Jeremiah said. ‘I laid my hands on him and healed him. If you had faith in almighty God then you’d …’

 

Adam grabbed him by the collar and turned him to face Joe. ‘You call that healing him?’ he shouted. ‘Look at him! For God’s sake man!’

 

Jeremiah shook himself free. ‘It’s obvious that no one here has any faith,’ he said. ‘I’ll have you know that …’  He stopped as Hoss grabbed him.

 

‘Answer the Doc!’ he yelled. ‘What’s in that there pain killer?’

 

Jeremiah tried to wriggle free of Hoss’ grasp, but this time was unable to do so. ‘Just a few herbs,’ he finally said in a reluctant voice. ‘Nothing that could harm him.’

 

‘Nothing that could help him either!’ said Paul angrily. He turned back to Joe again who was stirring. ‘Joe?’ he said. ‘Joe?’

 

Joe put his head up and looked at the Doctor and his father. ‘I … feel …’  He leant forward and began to vomit and Ben grabbed a bowl and held it under his chin.

 

‘Paul you’ve got to help him,’ he said, lying Joe down again as the youngster’s retching finished. He wiped his son’s face with a wet cloth. ‘What can you do?’

 

Paul hesitated. ‘I told you Ben, I just don’t know what the problem is at the moment.’  He turned to Jeremiah again. ‘How long will it take before the effects of this so-called pain killer wears off?’

 

Jeremiah shrugged. ‘A few hours,’ he said. ‘Depends on when he took it last though.’

 

‘Joe?’ said Ben, leaning over his son. ‘Joe … son wake up.’ Joe didn’t respond. ‘Paul?’ said Ben anxiously. ‘He’s not waking!’

 

Paul checked under the youngster’s eyes. ‘He’s unconscious,’ he said simply. ‘The only thing we can do now is try and keep the fever down.’

 

‘But you said that the fever isn’t the real problem,’ said Ben. ‘You said that something is causing it.  We have to know what so that you can treat it don’t we?’ Paul said nothing. ‘Paul?’ said Ben anxiously.

 

The Doctor turned away from the table. ‘I don’t know Ben,’ he said in a low voice. ‘I don’t know much of anything at the moment. Whatever is causing this won’t become obvious until that pain killer wears off and Joe …’ he looked at the youngster anxiously. ‘While he’s unconscious he’s unable to tell us when it does or where the pain is if it does.’

 

Ben sat down heavily on a chair next to the examining table. ‘So we wait?’ he said wearily.

 

Paul nodded. ‘Yes.  We wait,’ he said.

 

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

 

Night was closing in and the shadows in the room were lengthening before Joe stirred again.  Immediately, Ben was at his side and Adam and Hoss lifted their heads in anticipation.

 

‘Paul?’ said Ben, over his shoulder. ‘He’s coming to.’  There was no response and so he turned to look at the Doctor.

 

Paul was sitting at the table with Jeremiah.  One hand was fingering the still half-empty bottle of whiskey in front of him and the other was twirling the empty glass around. ‘Paul?’ said Ben sternly. ‘Joe needs you.’

 

Paul looked up at his friend, his eyes reflecting his conflict. ‘What?’ he asked softly.

 

Ben strode over to the Doctor. ‘I said that Joe needs you,’ he said, putting the bottle of whiskey firmly across on the other side of the table. ‘Come on.’

 

Paul stood up and followed Ben to the examining table, just as Joe opened his eyes. ‘Joe?’ said Ben, leaning over the table. ‘How do you feel son?’  Joe didn’t respond, but simply looked at his father through his half-opened eyes. ‘Joseph?’ Ben tried again. ‘Can you hear me?’ Joe nodded. ‘Where does it hurt Joe?’ asked Ben. There was no response from the youngster, and Joe closed his eyes again. ‘He’s not responding,’ said Ben. He looked at Paul, but the Doctor said nothing. ‘Paul?’ asked Ben finally.

 

Paul sighed wearily and then took Joe’s face in between his two hands and held onto it firmly so that the boy couldn’t turn away. ‘Joe?’ he said. ‘Can you hear me?’ Joe opened his eyes again and nodded slightly. ‘Does it hurt anywhere?’ asked Paul. ‘I have to know where the pain is son.’

 

Joe shook his head. ‘No … no … pain,’ he said softly. ‘Hot … feel … hot.’

 

‘I know,’ said Paul as he let go of the youngster’s face. ‘It hasn’t worn off yet,’ he said to Ben and turned away.

 

‘That’s it?’ said Ben. ‘That’s all you have to say?’

 

‘What do you want me to say?’ asked Paul in a low voice. ‘I’ve told you before what the situation is.  Without knowing where the internal infection is coming from … what do you want me to do?’

 

Ben grabbed the other man by the shoulders and pulled him around until they were facing each other. ‘The Paul Martin I know would do something!’ he spat out.

 

Paul shook himself free. ‘Well I’m sorry I’m not the man you thought I was,’ he said bitterly.

 

‘But you are!” insisted Ben. ‘I’ve known you for years Paul.  I know without a doubt that you will not let my son die without a fight.’  He stared at the Doctor who refused to meet his gaze. ‘Paul?’ he said. ‘I trust you. Whatever you do for Joe … I know it will be the right thing.’

 

Paul finally met his friend’s eyes. ‘You shouldn’t trust me,’ he said, shaking his head. ‘I’ll let you down Ben.  I …’

 

‘Paul I’ve always had faith in you and I always will,’ said Ben. ‘I need you now.  Joe needs you now.’  He looked deeply into his friend’s eyes. ‘Please?’ he said.

 

Paul hesitated for a few seconds and then glanced at the young man on the examining table. ‘If we wait any longer we’re likely to lose him,’ he acknowledged.

 

‘Then don’t wait,’ said Ben as he kept staring at the Doctor.

 

‘You know what that means?’ asked Paul. ‘You’re asking me to open him up perhaps unnecessarily.  There could be no reason for me to operate.  He might recover …’

 

‘And he might not,’ finished Ben. ‘You just said yourself that something inside must be causing that infection.’

 

‘But without knowing what …’

 

‘Paul all those years of training and experience must count for something,’ persisted Ben. ‘You have to be able to make an educated guess.’

 

Paul nodded. ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘I …’

 

‘Have faith in yourself,’ said Ben. ‘I do.’

 

Paul looked at his friend with tears in his eyes. ‘You’d trust Joe’s life to me?’ he said.

 

‘Haven’t I always?’ said Ben with a smile. ‘Since the day he was born … actually before.’

 

Paul returned the smile. ‘Yes,’ he said simply. ‘So you have … I’ll operate.’

 

Suddenly there was a flurry of activity in the room as Paul began to get his instruments together and to give instructions. ‘Hoss … I’ll need lots of hot water.  Get some more wood on that fire. Adam … in the next room … lots of towels in the cupboard there.  Ben … Help me to get him undressed.’ He glanced over at Jeremiah and said hesitated. ‘I could use some more light over here,’ he said finally.

 

Jeremiah looked up and nodded.  He walked over to the examining table and began to light the lamps as Paul got his instruments ready.

 

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

 

Ben listened to the ticking of the clock on the wall as he stared at it. It was strange how time seemed to go so slowly in situations like this and yet at other times it simply raced past. ‘Hold this.’ He reached out to take the bloody towel from Paul, trying desperately not to look down at the table in front of him as he did so. He had insisted on being the one to stand by the Doctor and help him as the operation took place, for there was no way that would have let Adam or Hoss have to endure this … and there was no way that he would have let Jeremiah near Joe … but even so he didn’t want to have to look at anything that he absolutely didn’t have to. Instead he spent the minutes looking at the clock and praying silently as he obeyed the Doctor’s instructions without a word.

 

After what seemed like hours to Ben, but as he knew from the clock was in fact only one hour, Paul spoke the words that he’d been longing to hear. ‘There … I’ve finished the stitches.’  Ben breathed a sigh of relief and allowed himself to look down for the first time since the operation had begun.

 

Paul had covered the wound with a cloth, which Ben was mighty grateful for. His eyes travelled quickly from Joe’s stomach to his face, searching for a sign … any sign … that would tell him that his son was all right, but Joe was pale and still and Ben finally looked at Paul with a question in his eyes.

 

‘It was his spleen,’ said Paul. ‘It was very close to rupturing.  If I hadn’t operated, I think he would have been dead before morning.’ Ben waited. ‘I’ve drained it,’ continued the Doctor as he wiped his bloody instruments on a cloth. ‘We’ll just have to wait and see now.’

 

Ben let out the breath that he’d been holding and closed his eyes momentarily. He opened them again and put his hand on Paul’s shoulder. ‘Thank you,’ he said simply.

 

‘I ain’t never seen anything like that,’ said Jeremiah. ‘You did well Doc.’ Paul looked across at the man and said nothing. ‘No I mean it,’ continued Jeremiah. ‘That was sure pretty stitching if ever there was. I reckon you just saved that boy’s life.’

 

‘No thanks to you!’ retorted Ben.

 

‘I just did what I was trained to do,’ said Paul. ‘No more and no less.’

 

Jeremiah shook his head. ‘No,’ he said. ‘There’s a lot more to that than training and skill,’ he admitted. ‘I reckon the Lord was here with you tonight helping guide your hand.’

 

Paul smiled for the first time. ‘I think you might be right at that,’ he said.

 

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

‘Joe?  Can you hear me? Joe?’

 

Joe opened his eyes and smiled up at the Doctor. ‘Hi Doc Martin,’ he said. ‘What are you doing here?’

 

Paul smiled across the table at Ben. ‘What am I doing here?’ he said teasingly. ‘More to the point what are you doing here young man?’

 

Joe turned his head and looked at the wall. ‘Ain’t I at home?’ he asked.

 

‘No.  You’re in my office.  Don’t you remember?’ Joe shook his head. ‘Hoss brought you in sick yesterday afternoon,’ said the Doctor.

 

‘Did he? Why?’  Joe tried to move on the table and winced. ‘Ow!’ he said. ‘Something hurts.’

 

Paul placed his hands on the young man’s shoulders. ‘Now you just lie still,’ he said. ‘You’ve got some stitches there that you’re going to have to be careful of.’

 

Joe frowned up at him. ‘I do?’ he said.

 

‘Yes you do,’ said Ben. ‘Now lie still as the Doctor says young man.’  He watched as Paul felt Joe’s forehead. ‘He seems cooler,’ he added.

 

‘He is,’ Paul agreed. ‘I’m sure he’ll be fine now. The worst is over.’ He straightened up. ‘Ben why don’t you get some sleep now?  I can watch him for a while.’

 

Ben shook his head. ‘You look as bad as I’m sure I do,’ he said. He glanced over to the table where Adam, Hoss and Jeremiah were slumped. ‘And those three.’

 

Paul gave a short laugh. ‘We’re all going to need some sleep,’ he agreed. ‘Especially you,’ he added to Joe. ‘Now close those eyes again please.’ Joe sighed and closed his eyes without another word. ‘Well that’s a first,’ said Paul with a grin. ‘He doesn’t usually obey me as quickly as that.’

 

‘I have a feeling that Joe isn’t going to have any energy to make a fuss about anything for a while,’ said Ben, returning the grin. ‘Come on Paul, let’s wake these three up and organise some sleeping arrangements.’

 

‘I’m awake Pa,’ said Adam from the corner.

 

‘So am I,’ said Hoss as he stretched. He nudged Jeremiah who lifted his head form the table and blinked as he looked around.

 

‘Is it morning?’ he asked sleepily.

 

‘It sure is,’ replied Adam. ‘And now that little brother is on the mend I for one vote for some shut eye.’

 

‘Not before breakfast,’ said Hoss with a grin.

 

Adam groaned. ‘Come on then.  I’m sure we’ll be able to persuade Sadie at the International House to open her kitchen for us this early.’  He turned to Jeremiah. ‘You coming?’

 

Jeremiah stared at him. ‘You want me to join you?’ he asked. ‘After all that has happened?’

 

Hoss shrugged. ‘It’s like Adam done said Mr Godfrey,’ he said. ‘Little brother over is gonna be OK.  We don’t hold no grudges.’ His eyes narrowed. ‘If he’d ain’t been all right though it woulda been a different story.’

 

‘True,’ said Ben from behind them. ‘Mr Godfrey you can count yourself lucky that I’m not pressing charges against you for fraud,’ he said. ‘As a matter of fact …’

 

He stopped as the door opened and Angus Morton came into the room. ‘Sorry to interrupt Ben,’ he said. It’s just that folks outside are wondering how the boy is doing.’  He stole a glance in Joe’s direction. ‘He OK?’

 

‘He’s doing fine now,’ replied Ben. ‘Thank them for their concern will you please Angus? As a matter of fact I’ll do it myself.’  He walked outside, followed by the others. ‘Thank you everyone,’ he said in a loud clear voice. ‘Joe is doing fine now.’

 

The large crowd which had gathered outside all smiled back at him. ‘Thank God!’ said someone at the back and several of the men in the front slapped Ben on the back. ‘That’s wonderful news Ben,’ said Angus.  ‘We all knew that you’d sent for Jeremiah, so we knew that … Ah!  Here he is now!’

 

Everyone clapped as Jeremiah stepped out onto the sidewalk. The man stood for a moment nonplussed and then held up his hands. ‘Please!’ he said. ‘There’s no need for that!’

 

‘Well done!’ shouted someone from the crowd and everyone started cheering.

 

‘You saved that boy’s life Jeremiah,’ said Angus, slapping him on the back. ‘You sure are …’

 

‘I did nothing of the kind!’ said Jeremiah quickly. There was a stunned silence as everyone took in his words. ‘Here’s the man you should be clapping,’ he continued, pulling Paul forward. ‘He saved Joe Cartwright’s life, not me!’

 

Everyone stared first at Jeremiah and then at Paul Martin in silence until slowly the sound of clapping began again. ‘Well done Doc Martin!’ called out a voice from the crowd and the clapping got louder. Jeremiah smiled at the Doctor and reached his hand out. ‘Well I reckon I’ll be on my way Doc,’ he said. ‘Ain’t no room for two of us in this town.’

 

Paul looked at the hand and then grasped it firmly within his own two. ‘Goodbye Jeremiah,’ he said. ‘I won’t be forgetting you.’

 

‘Nor I you Doc,’ said Jeremiah. ‘I reckon I might find another form of business from now on.’

 

‘I reckon that might be a good idea,’ said the Doctor with a smile.

 

Jeremiah winked at Ben and then headed off down the street. Gradually the crowd dispersed until only the Cartwrights and Paul were left standing on the sidewalk. ‘so you’re still not thinking of moving on then?’ asked Ben.

 

Paul made a face. ‘I don’t think so,’ he said simply.

 

‘Well I don’t know about you,’ said Hoss. ‘But my stomach thinks my throat’s been cut right about now.’

 

‘You two go and get something to eat,’ said Ben. ‘Paul and I will go when you get back.’  He shut the door behind him as he and Doctor walked back into the office.  They stood looking at the young man on the bed in silence.

 

‘I think Jeremiah knew a lot more than we thought,’ said Ben after a few minutes. Paul gave him a puzzled look. ‘All medicine is simply a matter of faith to some degree isn’t it?” continued Ben. ‘Faith in God and faith in the Doctor’s ability that the Lord has given him.’  He smiled at his friend. ‘Don’t you ever doubt that ability again Paul,’ he said.

 

Paul shook his head as he stared down at the sleeping youngster on the table in front of them. ‘No,’ he said. ‘I never will.’

 

The End