Summary:\u00a0\u00a0<\/b>On the eve of Joe’s wedding the three boys meet at the lake and the discovery of their old sailboat causes them to remember the first time Joe went sailing!\u00a0 In the course of the tale we find out why Adam’s name\u00a0does not appear on the witness tree.
\nRating:\u00a0 PG\u00a0 (7,600 words)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
THE SAILBOAT<\/strong><\/p>\n By Vicki Christian<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n I felt that, as a sailor, Ben would have had a boat of some kind on Lake Tahoe and the boys would have used it. Also, it always bothered me that, in \u201cThe Grand Swing\u201d, Adam\u2019s name is not on the witness tree. Here is my explanation. \u2013 V.C.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n The Lake sure is pretty this time of year. It has always got under my skin ever since I first came here with Pa, more than thirty years ago. No matter where I go, it calls me back. I\u2019ve been travelling for five years this time, but I still come back here; it will always be home. My deep sigh is heard by my young brother, who comes over and hunkers down beside me.<\/p>\n \u201cIs that a sad sigh, or a \u2018good to be home\u2019 sigh?\u201d he asks.<\/p>\n I glance across at him and smile. \u201cI\u2019m not sure. A bit of both, maybe,\u201d I reply and gaze out across the still water. \u201cTime seems to be passing too fast, I guess. Me, married with a family, Hoss with a wife and son and you\u2026\u201d I laugh out loud. \u201cYou about to be married. I never thought I\u2019d see that day.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe grins back at me. \u201cNeither did I!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re sure, this time, Joe? There have been so many before for whom you professed undying love.\u201d I smile to lighten my words.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, yes, I\u2019m sure. Don\u2019t know why I didn\u2019t see it years ago,\u201d he replies.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2019Cos you was always too busy chasing the next girl to see the one right under your nose,\u201d our brother Hoss comments from his soft bed of sand on the lakeshore.<\/p>\n Joe nods. \u201cIt was a good idea for us to come up here without the rest of the family. Just us brothers, on my last day as a free man,\u201d he giggles.<\/p>\n \u201cThat kind of freedom just means you have nothing to lose, Joe,\u201d I say, knowing how much my wife and children mean to me.<\/p>\n Hoss stands up and ambles over to us. \u201cYou remember all the times we came up here over the years and the things we did as kids?\u201d He chuckles. \u201cOne of my earliest memories is when you tricked Mama into falling into the lake.\u201d<\/p>\n Both my brothers laugh at my expense. \u201cYeah, we\u2019ve all got into trouble up here a time or two,\u201d I reply. \u201cI remember skimming stones and hitting a duck,\u201d I laugh, as I pick up a pebble and try my luck. Three skips.<\/p>\n Joe grins and stands up making his pebble skip five times. \u201cYou\u2019re out of practice, older brother.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot much call for it in Boston,\u201d I say lazily. Being here, with my brothers, takes me back to my youth. We spent many lazy summer days here: fishing, swimming and sailing. \u201cHey, what happened to the boat?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss shrugs. \u201cI guess it\u2019s still in the shack. Must be ten years or more since we used it. I\u2019d forgotten it was there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt might be fun to teach the children to sail the way Pa taught us,\u201d I suggest.<\/p>\n Joe raises an eyebrow. \u201cIt\u2019s probably rotted by now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s take a look.\u201d I scramble up the shore toward the old fishing shack. Pa built it when I was about ten years old to provide shelter when we spent the day at the lake. As I push open the door it brings back memories, most happy but some not so.<\/p>\n I recall running here and curling up on that old cot the day I told Marie I hoped she\u2019d die and her baby, too. I glance at my young brother and realize how much I would have missed if that had come true. I am surprised that cobwebs don\u2019t cling to our faces and clothes as we push inside each anxious to see how much has changed. Old fishing tackle, rods, nets and buckets hang from the walls. All are neat and orderly. Boxes and tins line the shelves and I nod. Pa must have made sure this shack was supplied every winter like the line shacks. If anyone was caught out in a storm there was a place to stay with food and shelter. That would explain the neatness and the lack of dirt in here.<\/p>\n In the back corner I spy the boat. To my surprise it is newly varnished and the sails are clean and stowed in seaman like fashion under the foredeck. It is in perfect condition. Hoss and I glance at each other and then at Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cPa must come up here and look after her.\u201d I say, almost in wonder.<\/p>\n Joe shakes his head. \u201cIf he does he never mentions it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wonder if he still sails her?\u201d Impulsively, I move the boat on its wheeled truck and it comes easily. The transom comes into view and I see the name freshly painted in yellow on the varnished wood. \u201cWanderer\u201d.<\/em> I remember the laughter when Pa had named her and I had teased him, since this Wanderer <\/em>was all of fifteen feet long and nothing like the barque he had sailed in as a young man.<\/p>\n We had built her together: Pa designed her and did most of the work on the planking but the smoothing of the wood and the varnishing had been my job, assisted by a five-year-old Hoss. It had been meant for us to use that summer, but Pa had gone to New Orleans and it didn\u2019t get finished until the following year. Marie had helped make the sails and I had been angry that a woman was going to sail with us. Marie soon dispelled any worries about her competence; she had sailed before in New Orleans as a girl and she taught us almost as much as Pa.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s take her out,\u201d Joe suggested. \u201cIt\u2019s been a few years since I sailed with you both. The last time must have been when I was about sixteen and you let me be captain for once.\u201d<\/p>\n I smile at him. \u201cYou capsized it and we all had to swim ashore because the wind was too much to right her again.\u201d I remember how cold that water was: it must have been early spring with the snow melt still filling the lake.<\/p>\n Hoss chuckles. \u201cI remember another captain who capsized it on Joe\u2019s first trip out with us, too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou would,\u201d I groan. \u201cI\u2019d rather not remember that time, thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe is sensing a story, and one he hasn\u2019t been told. \u201cC\u2019mon, Adam. I don\u2019t remember that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t,\u201d Hoss laughed. \u201cYou were only two or three at the time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTWO!\u201d Joe yells. \u201cPa let you take me sailing when I was two<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe didn\u2019t exactly let<\/em> him, little brother,\u201d Hoss begins to relate, \u201cBecause he didn\u2019t know about it. Older brother, here, had plans and Pa kinda upset \u2018em. See, he had this girl — \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean you got in trouble over another girl?\u201d Joe was grinning widely now, anticipating a good tale.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re gonna tell it, tell it straight,\u201d I complain. \u201cShe wasn\u2019t that sort of girl.\u201d<\/p>\n Now Joe begins to laugh uncontrollably. \u201cHow many kinds are there, older brother? I mean, I\u2019m about to get married;\u00a0 I\u2019d hate to miss out on a new kind of girl.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cConnie was a friend.\u00a0 She was more boy than girl, anyhow. She lived with her Ma and Pa and brothers over the other side of the lake.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow come you met up then?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n Hoss grinned. \u201cOh, that\u2019s a whole n\u2019other story.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShut up,\u201d I snap back, not wanting to be reminded of how Connie and I met.<\/p>\n \u201cGo on, Hoss, tell,\u201d Joe encouraged.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, ya see, Joe, it was like this\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n I sit back on the gunwales of the boat and wait for Hoss to string this out into the tale of disaster that I thought it was at the time.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019d been living in the old cabin for about three years I guess and there weren\u2019t many neighbors, the Shaughnessys of course, but most of the others were down in Mormon Station or up at Truckee where there was a trading post. Pa went to Truckee about once a month in summer to trade. He always took us with him. It was on one of these trips that we met the Austins. Mr. Austin had a place in California on the west side of the lake. He was just farming and trapping. His wife was a full-blooded Shoshone and most folks wouldn\u2019t have nuthin\u2019 to do with \u2018em.\u00a0 He\u2019d been a real mountain man in his time and me and Adam thought he told the best stories. There was about five boys in the family, all older\u2019n Adam an\u2019 me, and each trip he\u2019d bring one or two of \u2018em with him. They talked about a little sister but we never got to see her until one time that she and her Ma came to meet them.<\/p>\n \u201cWe always traveled back from Truckee to the north end of the lake with Mr. Austin then split up; us going east through to the Washoe Valley and him heading west and then down the lake to where he had a cabin on the lake shore. Well, this one time, it was high summer and we camped over night near here and Mrs. Austin and Connie came to meet up with Mr. Austin and the boys. We didn\u2019t know they was gonna do that and it was so hot that we was cooling off in the water. Well, Pa calls us for supper and me and the Austin boys gets out right away and starts dressing but Adam was still swimming, \u2018cos he was away from the shore. You shoulda seen his face when he gets out and this girl asks him if he wants his clothes.\u201d<\/p>\n At this point I feel I have to interrupt. \u201cYou were only five or six.\u00a0 You had nothing to be embarrassed about.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss starts laughing and almost chokes. \u201cYou didn\u2019t have too much yourself, big brother.\u201d<\/p>\n This sets both brothers off again in fits of laughter at my expense. Eventually, I see the funny side too and join them. \u201cI guess at eleven you feel embarrassed at most things.\u201d I grin. \u201cConnie used to remind me of it every time we met after that and by the time I hit fourteen it was <\/em>embarrassing.\u201d<\/p>\n Now, I take up the tale. \u201cWe met up every few months after that. She used to persuade her Pa to take her to Truckee and we\u2019d have adventures, tracking, hunting and such. Like I said, she was more boy than girl.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about the sailboat?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a dare,\u201d Hoss replied quickly.\u00a0 \u201cConnie bet Adam he wouldn\u2019t sail across the lake to their cabin on his own.\u201d Hoss pointed across the bay to the west shore.<\/p>\n I nodded. \u201cOnce she\u2019d dared me, I had to do it; couldn\u2019t be seen to be a coward by a girl. Trouble was, she set a particular day so that she could look out for me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo what happened then?\u201d Joe settled himself next to me and waited.<\/p>\n I thought back to all the problems that day had caused.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n ADAM\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n It had all seemed so simple. I would get my chores finished then head over to the lake, telling Pa I was going fishing. This was kind of true, since I planned to take Connie fishing when I picked her up. I knew I shouldn\u2019t be using the boat alone, nor traveling as far as the Austin place, but I conveniently forgot that. However, with our Pa nothing is simple as I soon found out. Every time I made a plan to do something by myself he\u2019d find some reason why I couldn\u2019t. His reasons this time arose at breakfast when I outlined my plans. He had to go to Mormon Station to settle some taxes and Marie wasn\u2019t feeling well and had stayed in bed. He expected me to look after my brothers until he got home, so that my stepmother could get some rest. I tried to protest that I was meeting friends but it cut no ice with Pa. First he asked which friends and I had to think quick and say it was only some boys in town. If I\u2019d said Connie he would have had a fit right there at the breakfast table. Once he had established that, or so he thought, he bluntly told me it would have to be another day, since it was too far to take Little Joe to town on my own.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIs it alright if we go to the lake, then, Pa?\u201d I asked, not wanting to abandon my plans and anxious to get at least some of my story right. <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Pa considered for a moment. \u201cYou can fish as long as you keep an eye on your little brother, but no swimming. You watch him every second, you understand? No snoozing and no reading.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I must have raised an eyebrow or sighed without knowing, because he came back at me quick. \u201cIf you have a problem with that, young man, then I can change my mind and you can stay here and do chores.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I straightened up immediately; no sense in antagonizing him when I had got part of what I wanted approved. \u201cNo, sir. We\u2019ll catch fish and play on the shore.\u201d All true; I just omitted to say that the fish catching was being done on the water, not on the shore.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cCan we take a picnic?\u201d Hoss wanted to know. <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYes, if you ask Hop Sing in good time. He has a lot to do today with your mother not feeling too well and the baking for the church fund raising tomorrow.\u201d Pa replied getting to his feet and reaching for his coat.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I left organizing the picnic to my brother. We\u2019d probably need a wagon to carry it, but at least we\u2019d be well fed. <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As soon as Pa\u2019s horse was safely out of sight I gathered up Little Joe and headed out to the barn. I hesitated for only a moment before saddling Brownie. I knew that Pa would not approve of me riding to the lake with Joe on the front of my saddle. He expected me to take the buggy. The trail was rough and it was a long ride. I eased my conscience by taking the quietest horse we had. <\/em><\/p>\n My little brother was jumping up and down at the thought of a ride to the lake and I had to tell him that it was a secret and that he mustn\u2019t tell Mama or Pa, which made him even more excited. I guess sharing a big brother secret is exciting when you are only two. I packed a preserving jar and lots of string because I knew Joe would want to fish in the shallows and the idea of him with a hook was too scary to contemplate. I hadn\u2019t considered how I would keep him still in the boat. I should have, as Joe is never still unless he\u2019s asleep and even then he can be restless. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0The ride was uneventful unless you count Joe almost falling off when he tried to grab the reins and take over from me, or when he bent down to pat Brownie\u2019s neck at a particularly rough part of the trail. I set Hoss to watch Little Joe while I fetched the boat from the shack and rigged it ready to sail. I was very careful and checked everything before I rolled it toward the lakeshore.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe going in the boat?\u201d Hoss asked, open-mouthed when he saw me rolling it toward the water.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I nodded. \u201cBut it\u2019s our secret. No telling, promise?\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 We solemnly spit on our hands and shook on the promise. <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPromise,\u201d Hoss repeated after me. \u201cBut what about Joe?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I turned to our baby brother. \u201cHe promises not to tell.\u00a0 Don\u2019t you, Joe?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 His curly head nodded so fast it made me giddy. \u201cJoe spit,\u201d he announced, and proceeded to do just that and then place his very wet hand in mine. <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss laughed as I wiped my hand on my pants in disgust. I just hoped Joe knew what it meant for a Cartwright brother to spit on a promise. If Pa found out what I\u2019d done, I wouldn\u2019t live to see my fifteenth birthday in a couple of months. For a second I hesitated, but there was no way I was going to lose a bet with Connie. <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0The trip over was uneventful. The wind was light and there was no swell. I put up only the mainsail and I could handle it and the tiller with ease.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 Hoss sat in the center of the boat against the foredeck held on to Joe and entertained him by pointing out the fish as they swam past just below the surface. Connie was waiting on the shore and I gloried in my success. I was so confident that I even took her sailing, leaving Hoss and Joe to fish on the shore.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 By the time we came back Joe was sleeping and I could lift him gently into the boat for the return trip. The wind had picked up a little, so I instructed Hoss to sit to one side to balance the boat and handed him the sheet controlling the mainsail. For the first few minutes all went well then, as we got further into the lake the wind increased and with the more violent motion of the boat woke Little Joe from his nap. <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cJoe sick,\u201d he announced and promptly followed the words with action. Hoss jumped back to avoid being in the line of fire and the boat lurched dangerously.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I grabbed the rope from Hoss and tried frantically to keep the boat on an even keel. By the time I had achieved my goal, Joe was sobbing with fright and Hoss was looking almost as scared.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s alright,\u201d I tried to reassure them. \u201cJust don\u2019t move about like that again.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss snorted., \u201cWeren\u2019t my fault.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Joe continued sobbing but there was little I could do; my whole attention was needed to keep the boat stable. \u201cLook after him,\u201d I yelled, my temper rising.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 For the next few moments both brothers moved as far away from me as it was possible to get in the confined space.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 We were now in the center of the lake and the water was choppy and the wind increasing. The little boat heeled at an angle, which almost put the gunwale on the port side under the water. I knew that when this had happened when I sailed with Pa he had said something about reefing the sail if it got any worse. This was getting worse but I had no idea how to reef a sail or even what the term meant. I moved further out on to the starboard side and shouted to Hoss to do the same. Even with our combined weight the boat was still poised at a frightening angle. We must have been a spectacular sight to anyone watching. <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I glanced up and was relieved to see that we were closing the east shore with incredible speed. It wasn\u2019t the point from which we had set off but right now I didn\u2019t care as long as it was land. I didn\u2019t even care if we crashed into the shore as long as my feet were on dry land again. I was just congratulating myself on our survival when a freak gust of wind caught me by surprise and the boat lurched out of my control. I felt the deck tilt to an even crazier angle, the boom came across with a sickening thud and then nothing but blackness.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By this point in the story, Joe was listening open mouthed. \u201cWe survived,\u201d I grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, but how? I mean I couldn\u2019t swim, could I?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n Hoss shook his head \u201cNope, and that water was dang cold.\u201d<\/p>\n I nodded to Hoss that he should take up the story, as my memories were at best hazy and for part of it non-existent.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n <\/p>\n HOSS<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSee, I was hanging on to you for dear life when the boat tipped. I didn\u2019t see what happened to Adam. All I could think of was to get you to the beach. I kinda hung on to your pants at first but then your head kept going under the water, so I tucked you under one arm and tried to swim with the other. We got to the beach but you was coughing up water and I didn\u2019t know what to do. I looked around for Adam. I mean, he was right behind me.\u00a0 At least, I thought so, but there was no sign of him. Then this man came out of the trees, raced past me and dived into the water. Another man came up to me and you and started sorta thumping you on the back to make you cough up more water.\u00a0 And yet another ran into the water to help the first one.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss paused to gather his thoughts. \u201cI weren\u2019t too sure what happened next. I watched as they dragged Adam from the water. He wasn\u2019t moving and I was scared he was drowned.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIs\u2026 Is he\u2026dead.? ” I stuttered, fear in my voice as I shivered with cold.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The older man looked up with a kindly smile. \u201cNo, he\u2019s breathing, but we need to get him warm and dry. You, too. We\u2019ll take you back to our cabin.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I was torn in two. Pa always said not to go with strangers, but this man had saved my brother\u2019s life and Adam still needed help. In spite of what the man said I was still worried that my older brother wasn\u2019t gonna live. He looked awful pale. <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The man seemed to know what I was thinking. \u201cIt\u2019s alright, son.\u00a0 We won\u2019t hurt you. I\u2019m Henry King and these are my sons, Abe and Josh. We\u2019re trappers and we live about a mile from here. Let us take you to our cabin. My wife will take care of your brother. I think he\u2019s had a bad knock on the head.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 For the first time I noticed that there was blood mixed with the water that was dripping from Adam\u2019s black hair. I looked at the two younger men and now realized that they weren\u2019t much older than Adam. Josh maybe only a year or two and Abe not much more. I nodded slowly. The older one, who had been holding a screaming Joe, handed him over to me.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019ll be okay, but maybe he\u2019d be happier with you than me,.\u201dhe said with a smile.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Joe clung to me and his screaming gradually reduced to sobbing as he buried his head in my shoulder. I didn\u2019t know what else to do, so I followed them up the trail away from the lake. Mr. King carried Adam until we reached a small cabin. He pushed open the door\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 and called out, \u201cMorag!\u00a0 Morag, where are you girl?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As he set Adam down on a cot in one corner of the room, I gasped. Where Adam\u2019s head had been resting the man\u2019s shirt was red with blood. I rushed over but the older boy held me away.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s get you and your baby brother dry, shall we?\u201d he said, taking my arm and pulling me towards the other corner of the room, where there was a table and chairs.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Joe was still crying but it was softer now and muffled because he had stuck his thumb in his mouth the way he always does when he\u2019s upset. Abe found towels and strip us off to dry us then wrapped us in blankets while he warmed some milk. <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I tried to see what was going on by the cot. Mrs. King was there now and she and he husband both worked on Adam. I heard him moan once or twice so I knew he was still alive but I wanted to be with him.\u00a0 As soon as Abe moved away to warm the milk I got up and tiptoed over to the bed. It wasn\u2019t easy to creep up on them because Joe was clinging to my leg the way he does when he\u2019s scared. They both turned and saw me and moved a little to let me see Adam. He still looked awful pale and there was a towel stained red on the floor beside him. Mrs. King had bandaged his head and the white linen made his hair look even darker and if it was possible his face paler. I saw him move and his eyelids flutter. It took a few minutes, but slowly his eyes opened and stayed that way.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cAdam,\u201d I pushed between the grown ups and knelt beside him. \u201cYou okay?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He didn\u2019t answer for a moment then he squeezed my hand. \u201cYeah, Hoss, I\u2019m okay,\u201d he whispered, his voice no more than a croak.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThis here\u2019s Mr. and Mrs. King,\u201d I told him. \u201cMr. King saved you. I thought you was drowned.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mrs. King put an arm around me. \u201cLet your brother rest. It\u2019s best for him right now.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I refused to budge even though she encouraged me to move back to the table.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mr. King sat down on the edge of the bed and looked from me to Adam. \u201cWell, you\u2019re Adam ,and you\u2019re Hoss, is it?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I nodded. <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAnd what\u2019s the little fella\u2019s name?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cJoe,\u201d I answered.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mr. King nodded. \u201cAnd what\u2019s your other name and where do you live. Your folks will be getting worried about you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I was about to tell him when Adam interrupted. \u201cOur folks won\u2019t worry until chore time and we\u2019ll be home by then,\u201d he said quickly.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSon, you aren\u2019t gonna be fit to go anyplace for several hours and even then it will be in my wagon. So you might as well tell me where you live and I\u2019ll send Josh over to tell your folks you\u2019re all right. If they find that boat washed up on the beach, they\u2019ll think the worst.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Adam tried to shake his head but as soon as he lifted it from the pillow and moved it just one way he groaned.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mrs. King patted his hand. \u201cMy husband is right, Adam. Tell us how to let your parents know where you are and that you are alright,\u201d she said gently.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Josh was leaning against the bed head and he came around to the side of the bed and grinned at Adam.\u00a0 \u201cBet your Pa don\u2019t know you was out on the lake.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cJoshua!\u201d Mrs. King scolded.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s what it is, ain\u2019t it?\u00a0 He don\u2019t know what you was doing and you don\u2019t want him to neither.\u201d Joshua continued.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cJoshua, go finish your chores.\u201d Mr. King ordered, boy did he sound like Pa. The thought was unwelcome. Pa sure wasn\u2019t gonna be happy about any of this. <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Joshua reluctantly left the room and Mr. King turned back to Adam, \u201cNow son, tell us your name and where you live. You can\u2019t think you are going to get out of that bed anytime soon and you don\u2019t want to cause your family worry, do you?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Adam said nothing, but he did close his eyes and turn his face away. I guess looking into Mr. King\u2019s eyes weren\u2019t no easier than Pa\u2019s. I soon found out, \u2018cos he looked my way. <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat about you, Hoss?\u00a0 You gonna tell me where your folks are? Your brother needs to be home in his own bed, with your Ma to tend to him.\u201d Mr. King\u2019s eyes were bright blue but somehow they still reminded me of Pa and I couldn\u2019t look straight at him.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMy Ma\u2019s dead,\u201d Adam snapped back to life, but I saw him wince as he moved his head.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t no good, Adam,.\u201d I sighed. \u201cPa\u2019s gonna know when you turn up with that.\u201d I pointed at his bandaged head. \u201cMr. King\u2026\u201d I tried not to look right at him, \u201cOur name\u2019s Cartwright and our Pa\u2019s got a ranch near Washoe Diggings.\u201d I heard Adam groan, but I didn\u2019t look at him neither.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mr. King frowned. \u201cThat\u2019s a fair piece from here.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Adam stared up at him. \u201cWhere are we, then?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou boat must been pushed almost down to the falls at the south end of the lake before we saw you. That wind\u2019s mighty fierce.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI should\u2019ve tacked,\u201d Adam replied.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I didn\u2019t understand nuthin\u2019 of what they was sayin\u2019. I\u2019d knew about tack for horses and sometimes Ma said the word, somethin\u2019 about her sewing, but I didn\u2019t know how that could work for a boat less he meant the sails or them ropes that Pa calls sheets.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mr. King had turned to his oldest son and told him to ride over to our place and fetch Pa and a wagon. As he moved away I saw Adam\u2019s face and he scowled at me. Didn\u2019t see as how it was my fault and I was kinda glad that making a face made him wince again.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOf course, it was your fault! I could have got home fine and I didn\u2019t need the bandage; that was just Mrs. King fussing. You didn\u2019t have to tell them anything,\u201d Adam interrupted.<\/p>\n \u201cWe was miles from where we left the horses and you couldn\u2019ta walked back. Anyhow Pa would have noticed we lost two horses even if he didn\u2019t see a lump on your head size of a\u2026 a goose egg and how would you have explained the boat bein\u2019 broke and left miles from the shack,.\u201d Hoss argued back.<\/p>\n \u201cShut up!\u201d Joe shouted, I think he was kinda surprised when we did. \u201cStop arguing and tell me what happened when Pa fetched you. I bet he was plenty mad.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDifficult to shut up and tell a story,\u201d Adam muttered \u201cHe won\u2019t tell it straight anyhow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo you<\/em> tell it, older brother, since you\u2019re so smart.\u201d I sat back on a box and folded my arms.<\/p>\n \u201cSmarter than you, that\u2019s for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, smart enough to take out a boat you can\u2019t sail, get us miles from home and then sink it,\u201d I spat back.<\/p>\n \u201cWill you two get to the point and tell the damn story?\u201d Joe yelled.<\/p>\n We musta sounded like we did when we was kids, arguing an\u2019 all<\/p>\n Adam threw me one of his superior looks and took up the tale.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n ADAM<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Waiting was the worst part. You know how it is when you know Pa\u2019s gonna have a fit and you have to wait? You got on to the bed with me and snuggled up to me and eventually fell asleep when I told you Pa was coming for us. Hoss sat on the end of the bed and we mostly glared at each other. It must have been the best part of three hours before we heard horses. I\u2019m not sure who jumped the highest me or Hoss. It woke you up and you wanted Pa and when he didn\u2019t appear instantly you started crying again. I was going to try and stop you but then I figured that maybe Pa would rush to you and it would take his mind off scolding us in front of the Kings.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Suddenly he was there at the door and you ran to him and he picked you up and hugged you. I watched him check you all over to make sure you weren\u2019t hurt. The he looked over at me.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMr. King says you\u2019ve got a nasty bump on your head. Any other injuries?\u201d His voice was gruff but not angry. Leastways not yet.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNo, sir.\u201d I figured saying the minimum was best and threw in the \u2018sir\u2019 in case it helped.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat about you, Erik?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ah, the first sign that he was angry, calling Hoss by his given name. I saw Hoss shake his head and then make the same decision as me. \u201cNo, sir, I\u2019m alright.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMighty brave boy, Mr. Cartwright. He\u2019s a hero; saved his little brother and no mistake. I saw the boat go over but I couldn\u2019t have got to both the little one and your older boy in time, I\u2019m sure of that. One of \u2018em woulda drowned for sure.\u201d Mr. King was smiling at Hoss and obviously trying to show us in the best light. \u201cIt was pretty windy out there, lots of sharp gusts that you wouldn\u2019t expect. The boy did pretty good to keep her afloat as long as he did.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n I watched Pa\u2019s face. He wasn\u2019t buying it. I could almost hear his thoughts:<\/em> He shouldn\u2019t have been afloat at all then he wouldn\u2019t have had a problem.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He grunted. \u201cNo doubt I\u2019ll get the whole story when we get home.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Oh, I bet he would; no matter how hard I tried I could never manage to hide the truth once Pa started digging. <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mrs. King handed Pa my clothes, which she had dried. Hoss and Joe had already got dressed but she hadn\u2019t wanted me to move. I only vaguely remembered Mr. King undressing me but now that I was dressing I realized that there was only one room and Mrs. King must have been there. I could feel myself going redder and I allowed Pa to help me to get it over quickly. It was a good move as it was so unusual for me that he scrutinized me closely to see if I was in pain. I played along and tried to convey weakness and pain, not very successfully, I suspect. <\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI have the wagon outside with a mattress and some blankets. We should be home before dark.\u201d He turned to Mr. King and shook his hand. \u201cI don\u2019t know how to thank you. If there is ever anything I can do for you or your family, you only have to ask.\u201d Pa turned on his best smile for Mrs. King.\u00a0 \u201cThank you, too, Ma\u2019am, and your boys. I don\u2019t know what would have happened if you hadn\u2019t been around.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019da done the same for my boys,\u201d Mr. King replied.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI hope your sons would have had more sense,\u201d Pa growled, looking at me. That\u2019s when I knew I was dead.\u00a0 Before it had been debatable, now it was a downright certainty.<\/em><\/p>\n Pa helped me into the back of the wagon and put Joe beside me. Hoss made to climb up on the seat but Pa indicated with a jerk of his thumb that he was to ride in the back with Joe and me. During the trip I lay back and tried to relax so that the jolting didn\u2019t hurt my head. Joe fell asleep against me and made not one sound all the way. Hoss and I exchanged meaningful looks but one glance at Pa\u2019s rigid back as he drove told us it wouldn\u2019t be wise to voice any of our thoughts.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0Pa drew the wagon up outside the house and handed a still sleeping Joe to Hoss. \u201cTake him into your mother, it\u2019s past his bedtime,\u201d he growled. Then he helped me down. I wished I was smaller then he might have carried me inside instead of just letting me lean on him. Reaction from the day\u2019s events was beginning to catch up on me and I began to shake uncontrollably.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cC\u2019mon let\u2019s get you to bed, too,\u201d Pa said and there was a note of sympathy in his voice. Maybe, just maybe, he wasn\u2019t as angry as I thought.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n Marie fussed over us all and eventually won her battle to get Pa to leave explanations until morning, for which I was grateful. I heard them whispering outside my door and I was tempted to eavesdrop but my bed felt so good. Whatever Marie had given me in my glass of hot milk, and I\u2019m sure there was something, was making me drift into a pain free and worry free sleep.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0My worries came back in full force next morning. Physically, I felt fine except for a sore spot on my forehead. Mentally, I wasn\u2019t so good.\u00a0 How on earth was I going to explain my actions to Pa? I mulled it over in my head. I hadn\u2019t exactly lied to him; maybe not told all the truth, but there were no lies. Had I disobeyed him? I tried to recall all our conversations about the boat; had he actually said at any point that I couldn\u2019t take it out alone? I wasn\u2019t certain about the exact words but I was certain sure that he hadn\u2019t meant me to sail alone and certainly not with my baby brother on board. I may not have disobeyed his orders but I had sure disobeyed the spirit of his teaching. I was no nearer an answer when I went down to start my chores.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Breakfast was quiet. Pa said nothing and once Marie had ascertained that neither Hoss nor I were any the worse for our adventure she concentrated on feeding Joe, or at least seeing that food went in his mouth and not on the floor.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t feel much like eating but I tried to make the meal last as long as possible. <\/em><\/p>\n Finally, there was no putting off the evil moment. Marie rose and began to clear the table and then whisked Joe away on the pretext of cleaning him up. Hoss and I left our seats and offered to carry the dirty crockery into the kitchen. I\u2019m not sure when we have ever been so keen to do kitchen chores. Pa drained his coffee cup and as he set it down he frowned at us. \u201cYes, clear the table for your mother then come right back here. We need to have a little talk, don\u2019t we?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss and I both nodded and replied together, \u201cYes, sir.\u201d Both then carried dishes away as we contemplated the form this little \u2018talk\u2019 was likely to take. My head felt sore but not half as sore as I figured other parts of me were going to be when Pa got through with us. By the time we reluctantly return, Pa was standing at his desk with his back to us. We approached much as one might approach an enraged Grizzly bear, with much caution and trepidation. He must have heard our steps on the polished boards because he swung around suddenly making us both jump back a step.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell,\u201d he demanded, \u201cwhat did you think you were doing?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I glanced at Hoss. He was pale and very nervous. He hated Pa shouting. \u201cIt was my idea. Hoss didn\u2019t have anything to do with it.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe went along, didn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYes, sir. But he didn\u2019t have much choice once we got to the lake.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBut you did.\u201d Pa\u2019s finger was pointing at me now. \u201cDidn\u2019t you?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYes, sir,\u201d I said, softly.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He seemed to consider me at great length and then turned his gaze on Hoss and did the same. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cVery well. Hoss you can help your mother with the house chores today but in future when your brother suggests some crazy plan, you\u2019d do well to avoid joining him. I won\u2019t be so lenient next time.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss\u2019 eyes widened and he almost ran from the room to help Marie.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Pa turned back to me. \u201cYou asked me if you could go fishing. Did you have all this planned when you asked?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I nodded.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t hear you.\u201d His hands went to his waist and he hooked his thumbs into belt.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cY…yes, Sir. But I didn\u2019t lie, I planned to fish too,\u201d I added.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDo you know what a lie by omission is?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I swallowed hard. \u201cYes, Sir.\u201d He waited and indicated that I should explain. \u201cIt\u2019s when you don\u2019t tell everything.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAnd did you tell me everything?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I shook my head, \u201cNo, Sir.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAnd why was that?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I hated it when Pa did this. I knew what he wanted. He wanted me to admit what I had done wrong rather than being accused of it, and he wanted me to admit that I had known it was wrong before I did it. <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2026 I didn\u2019t tell you about the boat because\u2026 well,\u2026 I knew you wouldn\u2019t let me go.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Pa nodded and gave me a look that said it all. \u201cWhen will you learn to think of the consequences before you do something stupid?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n