Son of Nobody<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nThey have escaped the fire and the bandits, but now where should they go? There were five of them: Mrs Mogus, an elderly lady, who found the effort already too much for her; Sam, a cowboy, whose surname was known to few, and never really in use; young Allen, the son of Mrs Mogus; his sister Cassie; and their friend Sarah Cartwright. They had intended to make a trip in the nice afternoon, but soon the pleasant aura turned abruptly into a terrifying chaos. Sarah hoped for her father and uncle to find them, as the escaping five have entered grounds unknown to them. The thick woods provided cover from the hunter\u2019s eye, but also shelter for many dangers.<\/p>\n
They heard horses galloping. There was one way – to the woods. The path provided an open view for the bandits. No one cared about keeping together now; escaping danger was the only thing important. They fell among the leaves to take cover there. Brutally halted, the horses reared; their riders, already dismounted, searched for their prey among the trees. They must have seen them… Sarah felt a brutal force grab and lift her bodily from the ground – a man – he held her by the arms – then suddenly there was a strange hollow sound, he fell – she staggered, but the vice on her arm didn\u2019t let her fall; an Indian, the one who had hit the bandit, held her arm in an iron grip. He pulled her to the path, the horse, mounted it himself, hauled her upon its back and they dashed off. The bandit hunters now became the prey, she glimpsed a few more Indians, faces fierce, mounted, going after the white men. Her Indian saviour urged the horse to a gallop and soon they had left the chaos of terror and pursuit behind them.
The man came back with a bowl of water; he wet his hand, rubbed her cheek slightly before he withdrew his hand back. She was probably supposed to wash. When she began to, he nodded and went out again. When he came back this time, he put something on the ground, then gave her a bowl, obviously containing what appeared to be a rather unappetising meal, and a kind of mug filled with water. He sat a bit further and began eating his meal, while gazing at her. Sarah let her eyes fall, escaping his importunate gaze, and began eating, though without much appetite; she knew, however, that the escape from the bandits had quite exhausted her. She thought about the Mogus\u2019 – maybe the Indians saved them, too, or maybe they escaped and were coming home now? She glanced at the covered entry and asked, \u201cWhat\u2019s with the others? Those who were with me?\u201d<\/p>\n
She wanted to get up, but with a quick gesture the man indicated that she stay where she was. He didn\u2019t answer her question. She wondered if he understood English, that maybe she should ask again – he suddenly got up, repeated the gesture: Stay. – and left the tent. Not knowing what was going on, weary from the recent events, having quenched her thirst and satisfied her hunger, she lay down for a moment to rest, hoping the man wouldn\u2019t mind.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
When she woke up, someone was bending over her. The man. It seemed to be evening, she noted absently, before shifting with growing anxiety.<\/p>\n
One can bend over somebody in many different ways. She didn\u2019t like his way, his gaze, the way he seemed to appraise her. With a sudden feeling of dread she pushed him away; her hand met hard muscles and harder, sharp bones. He was as thin as everybody else she\u2019d seen in the camp. But it was something else that caused her to blush suddenly. Strange, she thought, and in the back of her mind she realised how illogical and unfitting the thought was – but strange how a bared chest covered with hair seemed to be more naked than a smooth one; her fingers had met soft but clearly obvious hair on his chest. She suddenly realised that every Indian she had ever seen had a SMOOTH and BARE chest.<\/p>\n
She pushed him away more strongly, when he bent closer than before, but he seemed not to notice it at all, took her in his arms, and she felt his warm breath on her face.
She heard him move; after a moment the blanket rested on her shoulders. The man touched her hair in a soft gesture – she curled up further – then he withdrew to the deeper shadows in the tent. He stayed there, at least until her own crying lulled her to sleep.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
When she woke up, he was still in the same place; he still slept. In the morning light from the top opening of the tepee she could observe him more accurately than before, having now calmed down slightly. He was handsome, looked close to her age; yet she estimated him to be elder. He looked boyish in his sleep. He was not an Indian.<\/p>\n
Despite the tangled mane of jet-black hair, he didn\u2019t look like a Shoshone; his face was carved in soft lines, his nose shapely and straight, his eyes delicately set. He could be a half-breed; on his fairly distinct cheekbones there glittered a touch of wilderness. His hair shone almost blue in the morning sun, but lay in soft, silky curves on his shoulders, whereas all the Indians she\u2019d seen had thick, heavy and very straight hair.
He looked at her surprised; he probably hadn\u2019t expected her to talk to him. After a moment he said briefly, \u201cShekele.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIs that your name?\u201d she wanted to make sure. He nodded, observing her.<\/p>\n
She let her eyes fall, playing with the hem of her dress. \u201cShekele,\u201d she repeated his name. \u201cI know you are a man of honour, and you won\u2019t hurt me.\u201d<\/p>\n
She stole a glance at him; he listened with a frown, but seemed interested rather than angry.<\/p>\n
\u201cI miss my family,\u201d she said. \u201cI know you can help me get back to them. You can lead me so that I never find the way back or betray the location of your camp. I just want to get back to them.\u201d<\/p>\n
She glanced at him again; this time the frown was deepening into an angry cloud. He stood, watching her thoughtfully, and a bit angrily. His eyes were stubborn; maybe he didn\u2019t want to let her go. He left the tent.<\/p>\n
She got up, just so as to stretch her legs, and took a few steps. Outside the tent she heard the sounds of the camp\u2019s life, children, men, women. Was she to be his squaw? Had she been saved, or kidnapped? Should she escape – but where? How? From the middle of the camp? In broad daylight? She peeked out, pulling slightly away the fragment of hide covering the entry. She saw a loosely spread group of people; one of them, an elder man with cruel eyes, glanced suddenly at her tent – despite the distance she could see the lust in his eyes. She backed inside quickly, letting the hide fall back into place. She couldn\u2019t go out alone; maybe just now she was safer with Shekele than without him. He hadn\u2019t hurt her, though he could have. She could try escaping at night or when alone with him, best outside the camp.
As though having heard her thoughts in the tepee, Shekele brought her out of the camp. They walked for some time, she thought the way went down; nearby she could hear a river or a stream.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere are we going?\u201d<\/p>\n
When he didn\u2019t answer, she stopped so abruptly that he staggered backwards briefly.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere are we going?\u201d she repeated. She couldn\u2019t believe her eyes when he smiled slightly, shaking his head. She thought she had seen dimples in his lean cheeks. Shekele pulled her gently to follow him; after some more minutes, maybe up to half an hour, they stood on the slope of a hill, adorned by a small waterfall; the water from the stream fell down to the hill\u2019s foot from a small scarp nearby, sprinkling rainbow into the air.<\/p>\n
Sarah looked at Shekele, who was visibly waiting for her reaction and seemed pleased with something.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s beautiful here,\u201d she said. This must have been what he had been waiting for, for he pulled her arm gently to direct her down the slope. Her foot slipped suddenly, making her lose balance; Shekele noticed it too late, and the ground was moist and slippery…
\u201cSarah!\u201d<\/p>\n
Shekele jerked his head and upper body up to see the caller; there was a shot, he jerked strangely – she saw a bloodied hole in his chest – then he fell heavily on her; she felt strangely faint…
There was her father\u2019s face over her, and something lifted the limp weight that had been crushing her to the ground. She sat up with difficulty in the midst of a world that began waltzing slowly on the sight of the bloodstain spread on her dress.<\/p>\n
\u201cFather,\u201d she relaxed slightly, but then looked at Shekele. \u201cIs he…?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s alive,\u201d she heard her uncle. Hoss, her father\u2019s brother, was examining the wound. \u201cIt bleeds heavily,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must stop the bleeding,\u201d she reacted to that. Noticing her father\u2019s surprise, she suddenly realised what they might have seen and how they might have understood it. \u201cHe saved me from the bandits,\u201d she said quickly. \u201cI slipped up on the slope… we fell. I\u2019m fine. I think his leg was caught, he couldn\u2019t get up… then he saw the splinters in my arm, got some out…\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow far are we from their camp?\u201d asked Hoss, pressing a cloth to the wound and scanning the young man\u2019s leg, trapped in a tangle of broken branches.<\/p>\n
\u201cAbout an hour on foot, maybe less,\u201d supposed Sarah, mentally counting the time.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe can bleed to death before they find him,\u201d observed Hoss. \u201cShall we take him to a doctor?\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe, Sarah\u2019s father, thoughtfully assessed the situation; his daughter\u2019s revelations surprised him, and he regretted his action now deeply, but he had been taught not to lose too much time in making a decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t stay here,\u201d he said, stating the obvious. \u201cI agree he could bleed to death. Do they know where you had gone?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI doubt it,\u201d Sarah shrugged.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re taking him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss dressed the wound as well as he could, though provisionally, and lifted the limp form in his arms. \u201cBoth bullets went in closer to the shoulder than to the lung,\u201d he said. \u201cThe bleeding is the greatest danger now. There is a doctor with the soldiers, he can take care of him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSoldiers?\u201d Sarah got up, having overcome the first shock. \u201cTwo bullets?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe both shot,\u201d said Joe gloomily, heading for where their horses stood. \u201cLet\u2019s go, I want to leave the Shoshones behind, I\u2019ve seen enough of them in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss\u2019 face clouded at that, too, but he kept silent. The horse went into a trot; Hoss gently held the unconscious form in his arms, and Sarah watched them worriedly.
\u201cYes,\u201d Hoss informed him calmly. He was taller and at least twice as broad as the officer, who instinctively stepped back, faced with an image of a slowly waking cyclone.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not an Indian,\u201d observed the doctor matter-of-factly, examining the wounded one already. \u201cAre the bullets in?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe bent mutely to the young man\u2019s face; his larger brother\u2019s shadow rested on his shoulders.<\/p>\n
\u201cExcuse me,\u201d the doctor\u2019s voice woke them from their intent and stunned observation. The man watched them with interest, and having got their attention, he passed them a bottle and a cloth. \u201cI\u2019d rather put him to sleep, he might wake up during the surgery, and I\u2019d like to do it as quickly as possible as I understand that the Shoshones won\u2019t be too happy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll do that,\u201d Hoss took the things with a strange expression. Joe made place for him, but couldn\u2019t tear his eyes from that face, last seen so many, many years ago, belonging to his long… and if he hadn\u2019t died?<\/p>\n
\u201cFather?\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe embraced his daughter and asked in a tense, hoarse voice, \u201cHe\u2019s… Shoshone?\u201d<\/p>\n
She shrugged her shoulders. \u201cHe doesn\u2019t look like one,\u201d she admitted. \u201cBut he lives with them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd…\u201d he hesitated. \u201cAnd have you seen… another… white man there?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d she shook her head. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe bit his lip; his expression told her clearly that something had shaken him greatly.<\/p>\n
\u201cFather?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you remember… a photo… such an old photo…\u201d he gazed at Shekele as though enchanted; the young man jerked his head in reaction to the suffocating smell of ether, but calmed down in a moment and lay limp while the doctor searched for the bullets with professional calm. \u201c… a photo of your uncle… A…\u201d he stammered, \u201cAdam?…\u201d<\/p>\n
With some effort she recalled a foggy memory of a somewhat blurry, smiling face of a dark clad man. That much she remembered; he died before her parents had even met. \u201cI\u2019m not sure…\u201d she said thoughtfully. Gazing at Shekele\u2019s sleeping face, she recalled something. \u201cIs he…?\u201d she indicated the young man with her eyes.<\/p>\n
Joe searched his pockets nervously, at last finding a small flat metal box; out of it he took out a photo. \u201cThat\u2019s your uncle.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sarah was mutely looking at the face so similar to Shekele\u2019s, just that the man was smiling, and his features were softer. \u201cThat\u2019s my uncle,\u201d she repeated eventually.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe thought the Shoshones had killed him,\u201d said her father in an absent voice.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou thought the Shoshones had killed him,\u201d she echoed again. Only after a moment did she understand what had been said. \u201cI\u2019ve seen only Indians,\u201d she whispered. \u201cJust Indians.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI saw him fall,\u201d her father talked as though to himself. \u201cHe had an arrow in his back. Then we couldn\u2019t find him anymore. The Indians were gone, and so was he. All because he came back for me. And I left him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI left him, too,\u201d said Hoss quietly, helping the doctor dress the wound. \u201cI was just as sure we\u2019d never see him again. If you want someone to blame, then blame us all, or accept at last that it was nobody\u2019s fault. We\u2019ve searched for him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI take it it\u2019s family,\u201d noted the doctor quietly, finishing with the dressing.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes – nephew.\u201d Hoss stroked the young man\u2019s pale cheek lovingly. \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Sarah started and raised her head. In the hotel room there was nobody but her and Shekele, who was still unconscious, the third day now. She had been resting her head on his shoulder while watching over him; she must have fallen asleep like that. She stood to work out the kinks from the uncomfortable position. On the table, supported by the little vase, stood the photo of her uncle, Adam; she gazed at the photograph again. He was a handsome man, and his son had inherited much of his attractiveness. Shekele. She wondered if he had any non-Indian name. It was still hard to look upon him as so close a cousin. She recalled how he had held her in his arms that evening, but she quickly dismissed the unpleasant memories; she\u2019d rather remember his smile over the waterfall.<\/p>\n
\u201cSarah.\u201d<\/p>\n
She turned, surprised, at the sound of her name. Shekele\u2019s voice was weak and hoarse, but his eyes were clear.<\/p>\n
\u201cShekele.\u201d<\/p>\n
She stroked his cheek with a smile. \u201cIt\u2019s so good that you woke up at last. We\u2019ve all been so worried.\u201d<\/p>\n
He gazed at her questioningly, unsure of his surroundings and of who the \u201call\u201d were who had been \u201cso worried\u201d. He gratefully accepted a sip of water, and even Sarah\u2019s help, when he couldn\u2019t raise his head enough to drink.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve been unconscious for over two days,\u201d she informed his, seeing how weak he was. \u201cYou\u2019ve lost a lot of blood.\u201d<\/p>\n
He studied her as though waiting to hear more. So she sat on the bed and told him of how he had been injured, how the doctor had treated him and how they brought him here. Then she stood, went to the table and brought the photo.<\/p>\n
He stared at it wide-eyed, mute.<\/p>\n
\u201cShekele,\u201d she spoke softly. \u201cOn the photo… that\u2019s my uncle.\u201d<\/p>\n
The burning daggers of his eyes bored into her wildly, then after a moment returned to the photograph.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe disappeared… Shoshones took him,\u201d she said quietly. He almost sat up at that, but was too weak and fell heavily back on the pillows. She bit her lip nervously. \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t move.\u201d<\/p>\n
He gazed at her wildly for a moment, then closed his eyes, fighting for composure. Once calmer, he opened his eyes that urged her to continue. She reached for another photograph. An older man seated, and around him stood three adult but much younger men.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is my father,\u201d she pointed. \u201cThis is Uncle Hoss. Uncle Adam… was the eldest.\u201d She sighed involuntarily. Then she indicated the older man in the middle. \u201cThis is Grandpa. Mine… and yours.\u201d<\/p>\n
His eyelids slipped close again, this time due to weariness. Outside, steps could be heard, and after a moment Sarah\u2019s father and uncle came in. She rose to her feet, and Shekele opened his eyes and gazed at the two men, changed since the time the photo had been taken, yet still recognisable as the men in it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Shoshones took Father and… Uncle Adam captive,\u201d said Sarah. \u201cFather will tell you the rest.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe quickly took the place Sarah had occupied, and Hoss squatted by the bed. \u201cHello there, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n
The \u2018boy\u2019 regarded them in a rather hostile manner, glanced at the photo, then stared with burning eyes at the girl\u2019s father. \u201cTalk,\u201d he demanded briefly, hoarsely.<\/p>\n
Joe, for the first time with emotion rather that despairing pain, recalled the events of the long gone time. He talked about his injury, the efforts of his beloved elder brother to save him, his brother\u2019s return after getting to the \u2018white\u2019 territory, about the fight, then eventually about the terrible sight of their brother falling with an arrow in his back while they looked – helpless; he spoke about the search and the lack of any trace of both Indians and their brother.<\/p>\n
When Joe finished, Hoss reached for the glass of water and raised Shekele\u2019s head; the young man was fighting sleep with less and less success. He drank thirstily, then his eyelids drooped sleepily.<\/p>\n
\u201cRest, boy,\u201d Hoss put the glass away and stroked the young man\u2019s forehead. Shekele turned his head weakly away from the caress, not opening his eyes, and soon his breathing deepened in a deep, healing sleep.
\u201cNothing to bother with, if you want him safe and sound.\u201d<\/p>\n
At their surprised reaction, he explained, \u201cThey plan to find the Shoshones and… you know. Tomorrow they shall evacuate the settlers from nearby, especially from nearby the hills. It\u2019s better you take him to a safe place; where should he be if not with his family.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGuess so,\u201d they agreed, both brothers solemn, recalling the last time when the army stood against the Shoshones, and when their brother fell before their eyes, deathly – as they had thought then – injured.
***<\/p>\n
The young man slid to the ground again. He was stubbornly trying to get up, but the night trip caused his wound to reopen, which in turn made him weaker and brought about dizziness. Around him there hummed the camp, people hurrying to get ready for the journey. He hoped he had managed to warn them in time. They were his tribe and it was his duty to save them. He felt he\u2019d fulfilled his duty.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am to help you,\u201d the familiar shadow appeared beside him. Shekele let himself be pulled up, then whispered quietly yet distinctly, \u201cI want to stay behind.\u201d<\/p>\n
The other threw him a quick glance and nodded imperceptibly. \u201cI have gathered your things,\u201d he said. \u201cYou must let me ride with you, you won\u2019t hold on by yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shekele looked deep into the dark eyes of the slave. \u201cNo.\u201d He then quietly said, \u201cOnly after we stay behind.\u201d
\u201cWhere do you want to go?\u201d asked the man.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the opposite direction,\u201d Shekele managed a faint smile. \u201cDuty… towards the tribe… has been fulfilled. For what they did to you… I won\u2019t go back. Under the… dressing…\u201d he moved his arm weakly. The other reached where he was told and carefully got out – a photograph.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis one… and this one,\u201d pointed Shekele weakly. \u201cI want to find them. They were in the city… this way,\u201d he pointed.<\/p>\n
His companion gazed at the photo thoughtfully. \u201cWho is that?\u201d he asked eventually, indicating a black clad man standing to the side, his face surprisingly alike Shekele\u2019s.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey say it\u2019s their brother,\u201d answered the young man in a faint voice, leaning more into his companion and unsuccessfully fighting dizziness. \u201cYou must hold me.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Hoss turned his horse back. There could be no more settlers there, even if they had stayed far behind. No trace of Shekele could be found. In the whipping rain the world grew cold and dark; it was only by accident that the rider had spotted the pale patch under the bush.<\/p>\n
Under the anaemic cover of bushes two dark shapes had curled. One of them lay limply in the arms of the other, who tried in vain to protect him with his own body from the downpour, in a helpless, moving parental gesture. The dark shape startled when Hoss kneeled beside them. The man\u2019s dark, burning, watchful eyes scrutinised the gentle face of the white stranger; Hoss smiled reassuringly, pulling off his slicker to cover the lying shape. He recognised Shekele now; the bandage was wet, the wound obviously bleeding again.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe shouldn\u2019t have moved,\u201d said the other man in a voice hoarse as though from disuse. \u201cHe shouldn\u2019t have.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you have anything with you?\u201d<\/p>\n
The man nodded towards the bushes crouched in the darkness. \u201cA horse. Everything is with him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCan you ride?\u201d<\/p>\n
A mute nod.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou will have to give him to me once I\u2019ve mounted,\u201d Hoss pulled the slicker tighter around Shekele. \u201cWe need to get him to a doctor. If we ride all night, we can get to the city around morning; maybe faster.\u201d<\/p>\n
The man nodded again, lifted Shekele gently and gave him carefully to Hoss who had already mounted; after a second he was at Hoss\u2019 side again, this time on horseback.<\/p>\n
Hoss felt alarming warmth radiate from Shekele; the greater was the relief he felt upon spotting the settlers and his brother, and first of all: the wagon. \u201cPut him on the wagon,\u201d he told his companion. \u201cHe\u2019ll be shaken around less, and we\u2019ll be able to go faster.\u201d<\/p>\n
The man wordlessly followed the instructions, and after a second of hesitation seated himself by the young man\u2019s head. Someone thoughtful covered his bare shoulders with a jacket; no one voiced a protest against his presence nor of him increasing the weight of the wagon. He rested his head against the driver\u2019s seat, for the first time allowing his weariness to surface briefly.<\/p>\n
\u201cShekele?\u201d asked Joe hopefully, seeing his brother bring someone. Hoss nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s feverish,\u201d he said. \u201cThe other one is wringing wet, too. Both need to be taken to a doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWho\u2019s the other one?\u201d Joe urged his horse into a faster pace.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t know. Shekele\u2019s nursemaid, for now,\u201d Hoss looked at the wagon, where the dark shape was again bent over the other one.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
The doctor pulled the cover over Shekele\u2019s shoulders and smiled. \u201cIt\u2019s not too bad. It think he\u2019s going to make it. Where is the other one?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe other one thinks the boy\u2019s going to make it, too,\u201d laughed Hoss, \u201cso he at last went to take a hot bath.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shekele\u2019s companion did not leave the young man\u2019s side until morning, when Shekele\u2019s condition stabilised, and the fever sank; only then did he allow himself a moment of rest and relaxation. The doctor, busy with the wounded one, hadn\u2019t had the possibility to examine him, yet was well aware that Shekele\u2019s faithful shadow had got wet through that night. Even when wet, his hair wasn\u2019t really straight, so he wasn\u2019t an Indian. Maybe a half-breed like Shekele probably was – or white, and they met outside the camp. One could hardly say more of him, only that he was even thinner than Shekele; the pattern of sharp bones on his skin was hardly softened by the hard, iron, stringy muscles. His face had until now been hidden under his long hair.<\/p>\n
Now he was relaxing in the tub, as they learned when they peeked into the next room. He couldn\u2019t remember when he had last experienced such an unbelievable pleasure, so he intended to make the most out of every ounce of warmth and every FREE quiet moment.<\/p>\n
Sensing someone\u2019s gaze, he opened his drooping eyes and greeted them with a nod. He was older than the doctor had expected, but it was hard to determine the age from the posture alone. His hair was deeply black, skin sunburnt, eyes dark and burning. He didn\u2019t look like a half-breed, so maybe he was white.<\/p>\n
The man in the tub watched Hoss\u2019 reaction, his eyes narrowing in attention. The reaction only confirmed Shekele\u2019s words.<\/p>\n
\u201cI saw the photo,\u201d he said softly to Hoss. \u201cMy SON,\u201d he uttered the word fondly, \u201cmy SON told me… I\u2019m sorry, but we don\u2019t really look like brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss grasped the doorframe to prevent himself from falling, and drank in that voice thirstily. He felt Joe behind him, who suddenly sought the doorway\u2019s support as well. The man watched them with genuine interest, then shifted to the edge of the tub; ripples wrinkled the water\u2019s surface.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have lost my memory,\u201d he said simply. \u201cI have been very ill for a long time; maybe after I was injured – I don\u2019t know. My SON says that everything fits… The photo is certainly some kind of proof.\u201d<\/p>\n
Deciding to abandon the warmth after all, he shifted, as though he wanted to get out of the tub. Suddenly Joe began enumerating quickly, in a subdued voice, the man\u2019s scars, their location and origin. The man listened to him carefully, motionless, checking the information in his head. Then he slowly rose, wrapped a towel around his hips and came to stand in front of Joe.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are not even similar,\u201d he said softly, \u201cbut you know so much… I hadn\u2019t seen white people for all those years… no one could have told you, you couldn\u2019t have seen me… these are all old scars… you must have known me…\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam…\u201d<\/p>\n
Both brothers drank in the sight of him thirstily.<\/p>\n
\u201c What… what is your last name?\u201d he asked suddenly. He digested the answer. \u201cSo I have been told… that that was my name… you know even that…\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWillow told you?\u201d asked Joe all of a sudden. He remembered the young Shoshone who had tried to help them, and at whom his brother had looked so sadly and longingly. If anyone, then she. She must have been Shekele\u2019s mother. \u201cHis mother?\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam gazed at him seemingly calm, but shaken inside. \u201cYou know even that. Yes. She is his mother. Was,\u201d he corrected himself. \u201cThat\u2019s why they let him be a member of the tribe.\u201d<\/p>\n
He brushed the long, wet hair aside. \u201cI was worried about him. The shot… then he wasn\u2019t back… then suddenly he came back injured,\u201d he stopped. \u201cHe came back for me. I hadn\u2019t thought… I was nobody there.\u201d<\/p>\n
He leaned against the wall, gazing at the sleeping form in bed. \u201cI was nobody… and he came back for me. He said, for what they\u2019d done to me, he wouldn\u2019t go back to them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYour son,\u201d Hoss voice was huskier than usual. Adam nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cTruly my son,\u201d he said with strange sadness.<\/p>\n
\u201cShekele is a brave young man,\u201d Joe touched Adam\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis name is David,\u201d said Adam. \u201cI have christened him myself; Willow let me. Don\u2019t call him Shekele.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd what does it mean?\u201d asked Hoss with dawning suspicion.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2018Shekele\u2019 means: Son of Nobody.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Adam looked into the mirror in the shop\u2019s interior and glanced at Joe almost apprehensively.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou look good,\u201d assured him Joe.<\/p>\n
Adam smoothed out the collar of his white shirt and gave his reflection another critical look.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel a bit strange,\u201d he admitted. He brushed the hair aside. \u201cI think I need to tie them with something.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll cut them.\u201d<\/p>\n
He started and turned to Joe. \u201cI won\u2019t recognise myself at all then.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe laughed. \u201cFine then, we\u2019ll buy something to tie your hair with.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam adjusted the jacket, throwing one last glance at the elegant stranger in the mirror. \u201cI feel silly asking… David doesn\u2019t have such clothes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll buy him some once he can try some on,\u201d Joe patted his arm. \u201cHe won\u2019t be getting up too much. Just choose some trousers and a shirt for the trip for him and it will do for now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam nervously brushed the unruly hair aside, glancing at the clothes that lay on the counter. \u201cI\u2019ll pay you back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe again patted his shoulder comfortingly. \u201cBrother, even my memory can\u2019t tell me how often you have lent me money and how much of it I didn\u2019t have to pay back.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d Adam still felt strange, but he was still learning about his family, so he accepted the news.<\/p>\n
The shopkeeper smiled at them as Joe was paying the bill.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou look very handsome,\u201d she said to Adam. Half of the city already knew of who that emaciated man with long hair was, and the shop and the barber were the most entrusted sources of new and valuable information. The shopkeeper wasn\u2019t searching for any \u201cwilderness\u201d in him; on the contrary, she was taken in by his charming embarrassment that almost turned into shyness. He smiled in answer as though embarrassed, \u201cYou are too kind, Madam.\u201d Little did he know that this one gesture ensured him the whole city\u2019s unanimous opinion of a very charming gentleman.<\/p>\n
Back in the hotel, Adam\u2019s looks sent the receptionist into a slight shock, which in turn caused Joe to smile victoriously. David was still asleep; Sarah sat with him. She stood up to greet them, then stopped with a stupefied expression. Joe giggled infectiously so that even Adam smiled in his nervous manner.<\/p>\n
\u201cSarah, meet your uncle,\u201d Joe bowed over-graciously by the presentation. \u201cAdam, this is my daughter Sarah.\u201d<\/p>\n
The girl smiled gently, overcoming her surprise, and gave her uncle both her hands. \u201cUncle Hoss told me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam squeezed her hands in the gentlest manner and his eyes searched for Joe. \u201cI don\u2019t KNOW or REMEMBER?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t know,\u201d Joe assured him.<\/p>\n
Adam smiled almost shyly, softly touching her hair and dress. \u201cI have seen you in the camp; you had your hair done differently… you wore a different dress.\u201d She nodded. He gently stroked her velvety cheek. \u201cYou\u2019re pretty.\u201d<\/p>\n
A fiery blush crept onto her face. \u201cYou look very handsome as well, Uncle.\u201d<\/p>\n
He laughed quietly, feeling his face go strangely warm. \u201cWell, well, now you have embarrassed me. How is David?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe hasn\u2019t woken yet,\u201d she glanced at the bed. \u201cBut the fever is much lower.\u201d<\/p>\n
He approached the bed. Under his father\u2019s hand, the young man stirred and opened his eyes. For a long moment he was just coming to, gazing wide-eyed at his father; then he smiled. In a different situation and different clothes, neatly shaven and relaxed, his father looked downright dignified. Time and rest were to smooth out his tired face further.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was worried about you,\u201d said Adam in Shoshone, with reproach in his voice. \u201cYou could have killed yourself. What did you come back for?\u201d<\/p>\n
David frowned. \u201cDuty… towards the tribe… you…\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou were not in the condition to ride,\u201d objected his father. \u201cTribe – fine, but I am nobody.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why,\u201d barked the son angrily, nervously catching short, shallow breaths. \u201cI thought she… but then I saw… that the same would happen… that you were like her… \u2018till… \u2018till…\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShhhh,\u201d Adam put his hand on David\u2019s lips. \u201cYou are weak. You should not get upset. I was worried – maybe I am not reasonable.\u201d<\/p>\n
David nodded; he knew his father gave up mainly due to his condition.<\/p>\n
\u201cRemember those people?\u201d he asked more calmly.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Adam hesitated. \u201cBut I think I believe them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWill you stay with them?\u201d<\/p>\n
He seemed surprised by the question. \u201cIf you stay… I will go where you go, son. All I have is you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe same way here,\u201d David toyed with his father\u2019s fingers. He glanced over Adam\u2019s shoulder. \u201cOr maybe not.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam turned to look at the brothers, who watched them with strange expressions; Hoss held a tray in his arms, and now offered it to them.<\/p>\n
\u201cI went to eat something and thought I could bring you something as well,\u201d he said. \u201cThis is for you, Joe and David.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHelp me sit,\u201d said David from the bed. Joe touched Adam\u2019s arm with an uncertain expression.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam… could you talk English?\u201d<\/p>\n
The man blinked, thought for a second, and his mouth quirked strangely. \u201cGood, but I shall still use Shoshone for quarrelling with my son.\u201d<\/p>\n
David choked and shook his head, but kept silent. Hoss helped him drink some more water, then positioned him comfortably on the pillows and handed the plate to him. \u201cWill you manage by yourself?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis one is fine,\u201d David moved his right arm. \u201cI\u2019ll manage.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to send home a telegram,\u201d said Joe from over his meal. \u201cAs soon as David is fit for travel, I\u2019d like us all to go home.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow nice of you to ask our opinion,\u201d Adam couldn\u2019t help himself. The brothers looked at him in surprise.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re not going?\u201d \u201cBut…\u201d \u201cWe thought…\u201d \u201cYou have…\u201d – they spoke simultaneously in confusion.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we will go,\u201d he said kindly and returned to his plate. Joe and Hoss exchanged looks, and Joe stated with feigned annoyance, \u201cThere you go: smart-alecking again. He hasn\u2019t changed at all.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now, Adam and David exchanged looks; the usual old brotherly taunting sounded to them just like a USUAL OLD BROTHERLY taunting. Adam smiled to himself.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Ben Cartwright, the patriarch of the family, was sitting on the porch of the house, impatiently awaiting the expected guests.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere are they?\u201d he grumbled, irritated by the waiting.<\/p>\n
Barbara, his daughter-in-law, stroked his arm and reminded him, \u201cYou know the stagecoach has never been punctual, Dad. Maybe they just got to Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would have to be really late,\u201d he growled like a mad old bear, but appreciated her efforts to calm him down. Another woman – Alicia, his other daughter-in-law – came out of the house; three well built young men followed her. Particularly well built was the eldest of them – Josh. He and Sam were Hoss\u2019 sons; Benji was the son of Joe, the younger of the brothers. Joe also had a daughter, Sarah, who was elder than Benji, and who was to come back with her father and her uncle Hoss, and first and foremost – with the long gone and mourned for eldest of the three brothers: Adam.<\/p>\n
The telegram had mentioned a surprise, which had the greatest effect on boys – young they were, and they have never known their uncle; he understood. For him, the surprise – shock rather, was the news of his long mourned for son being ALIVE – moreover, he was COMING BACK.<\/p>\n
The sounds of a horse galloping stopped his ponderings. One horse – so it wasn\u2019t them. But where could they be, where! The horse is galloping wildly – maybe something had happened…<\/p>\n
A pinto rode into the yard at a full gallop, and the triumphant rider halted it in midst of the yard. Joe had never learned to ride slowly.<\/p>\n
Now he jumped down from the horse and hurried on the porch. \u201cHi, all. I am here first,\u201d he caught his breath, \u201cto tell you, for you see, Pa, Adam doesn\u2019t remember.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben frowned. \u201cHe doesn\u2019t…\u201d he repeated and stopped. \u201cWhat do you mean: he doesn\u2019t remember?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam had lost his memory due to a serious illness,\u201d explained Joe more calmly. \u201cIt\u2019s all new for him. I know you want to see him, to hold him, but please remember you can be a complete stranger to him. We should have mentioned something in the telegram… I\u2019m sorry; we were euphoric ourselves, who would remember?\u201d<\/p>\n
He embraced his wife and hugged his son and nephews. Barbara had meanwhile stepped out in the yard, hearing horses from far. \u201cThey are coming.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey can\u2019t hurry, \u2018cause the surprise shouldn\u2019t be shaken about too much,\u201d laughed Joe. \u201cThey\u2019ll be here in a moment, I\u2019ve left them almost by the house. Is the guest-room free?\u201d he suddenly asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the surprise?\u201d asked Alicia. Joe nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know Adam might want to lie down, and David simply has to. They won\u2019t be crowding together in one room.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDavid?\u201d the boys exchanged looks. The surprise was gaining shape.<\/p>\n
They didn\u2019t have to wait too long for that riddle to be solved, for soon a buggy came into the yard. Hoss jumped down from the driver\u2019s seat in a hurry to greet his wife. The man sitting beside him, clad elegantly in a black suit and a white shirt, his long hair tied neatly back, got off in a calmer way, turning to the people in the backseat. He first helped Sarah to get off, then assisted the other passenger.<\/p>\n
Seeing the man, Ben rose, then sat down heavily. Joe noticed that and hurried to bring the long awaited guest to meet his father. The guest greeted Barbara with a shy nod and took Alicia\u2019s offered hand, and his eyes sought out Joe.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t KNOW or REMEMBER?\u201d he asked with disarming honesty.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t know,\u201d answered Joe. \u201cNeither do you know the children, and the children don\u2019t know you. Boys, this is your uncle. Adam, this is Benji, my younger son; Josh, the eldest here, is Hoss\u2019 son; Sam is Josh\u2019s brother.\u201d<\/p>\n
The boys saw a still handsome, elder man with a sunburnt, tired face and eyes burning like two coals, full of inner strength. Adam greeted each of them with a nod, watching them with just as much curiosity. \u201cThey are alike you,\u201d he admitted, then turned to look around. \u201cWhere is David?\u201d<\/p>\n
From behind his back there emerged a shadow of his, or rather a mirror reflection, as it seemed to them at first.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is my son, David,\u201d said Adam. \u201cExcuse me, but where can he lie down for a while?\u201d<\/p>\n
Upon seeing the \u2018surprise\u2019, Ben – as soon as he overcame the shock – changed his opinion on the \u2018well builtness\u2019 of the three young men on the porch. Although pale and thin, this young man had broad, manly shoulders, and was taller than Joe. From among the three cousins, only Josh could stand the comparison. David seemed older than them, not a boy anymore. His town cut clothes were belied by the Indian way his hair was braided and adorned. Those who knew his parentage, found the heritage of his Indian ancestors in his features; however, he resembled his father very much. His left arm was supported by a sling; with the right one he had encircled Sarah\u2019s shoulders to help him stand.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll put him to bed in the guest-room,\u201d Hoss took care of the young man, holding him and helping him to the house.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to stay with him in the same room,\u201d Adam stated. Hoss threw Joe a glance and shrugged his shoulders.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen I\u2019ll put him to bed in your room.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eventually Adam turned to Ben, who had been watching everything wordlessly all the time.<\/p>\n
\u201cJudging by the photo, I take it… you are… my father,\u201d began Adam awkwardly. \u201cI\u2019m sorry for not remembering; I\u2019d really like to, it\u2019s such a beautiful place.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben rose, feeling his legs turn into an overwhelmingly wobbly mass, and without a second thought embraced and held the so longed for son close. \u201cMy child.\u201d<\/p>\n
After a long, long moment he let go, though not completely, and looked at his son more closely. He saw his age written on the weary face; saw a few silvery threads on the temples; saw the same young eyes and the same smile that he remembered so well, the same strength in the same hazel eyes with gold-green reflexes of light.<\/p>\n
Adam didn\u2019t back away from the warm welcome; a father himself, he recognised the reaction, and understood it well. At last free from his father\u2019s hold, he asked cheerfully, \u201cI have to call you something… How did I use to call you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben wiped the two hot tears running down his face, but to no avail, as more followed, and more, and even more, all as big and hot as his joy felt. \u201c\u2018Pa\u2019… you used to call me \u2018Pa\u2019…\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam answered with a gentle smile as full of emotion as the old man\u2019s quiet voice. \u201cMay I continue to call you so?\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben swallowed another tear and held his son close again. \u201cYes… child… always… always…\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s go in,\u201d suggested Adam simply, as though they held an ordinary conversation on an ordinary day about ordinary matters. In the doorway, he gave his son, who was still standing there, a disapproving look, but David met his gaze with a stubborn glare of himself; he\u2019d seen the moving scene and aimed to make sure everything was fine. He greeted his grandfather with a polite enough nod and eventually, paler now than he had been, he allowed himself to be led upstairs to a bed.<\/p>\n
Adam looked around curiously and attentively; dining room, fireplace, stairs, there seemed to be the office…\u201cI think I have been here before,\u201d he thoughtfully said.<\/p>\n
The End<\/p>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Summary:\u00a0 Joe’s daughter is saved by a young Indian, who isn’t being\u00a0 just a good Samaritan… In the turmoil of happenings, discoveries are made which greatly surprise all characters.\u00a0