Missouri Way: East Texas Cattle

By Fred Jones

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• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 21, 2009
• ISBN: 9781465326287

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Copyright © 2009 by Fred Allen Jones.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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Contents

The Mandans

Betty L. Jones

The Mandans

One of the most troubled tribes to live in America. They first lived in Tennessee, South Carolina, and part of Mississippi.

By 1843, a handful of Mandan moved away from the White Mans Fort, on the Missouri River, West of Fort Rice. A short distance from these Mandan lived a half-breed Cherokee trapper. With him lived his wife and two sons: Carl, eighteen; his brother, Jim, who was seventeen—the Mandan named him Carp because of his fishing habits.

Big Jake was proud of his family. Hawk and Cloud, two Mandan brothers, were like an extended family to Jake and his boys. The boys caught, and salted, sun-dried fish they sold at Fort Rice, along with Big Jake’s furs; they lived well. It was nearly spring, but the ice was slow breaking on the river.

The land was now mixed with trappers, fur traders, buffalo hunters, and Sioux Indians. Good men, bad men, and thieves. Fur thieves, horse thieves, women thieves, and killers.

The Mandans were almost wiped out in the Big Sioux attack. Both Hawk and his brother were tall and slim, blue eyed with solid black hair. But Hawk’s brother was different from his kin. Revenge on the Sioux was his life. The whole Sioux nation called him Shadow Man, or Spirit Man. No one could count the Sioux he had put to sleep. He was living in the Black Hills close to Sioux Valley, sleeping in caves by himself. But at sixteen, he stole a Sioux girl; he started to kill the girl, but she was so brave, he let her live. But now he was always on the run from the Sioux. When the girl got in the family way the second time, Cloud made her go home, thinking the Sioux would take her in. But the Sioux kept her two boys and drove the girl away from the village, sick. The oldest baby tried to follow after its mother, but the grandmother was ordered by the chief to take the child. It was later reported the girl died in the mountains, trying to find Cloud. The grandmother stood up to the chief, claiming her kin.

Back at the little village, Carl had been talking on leaving the village and the river. His brother, Jim, was always helping his dad, Big Jake, trap. Jim and Hawk, with Big Jake, were to take the furs and dried fish into Fort Rice this year in a flatboat large enough for a cover, giving a little more comfort to the trip. Steering the boat was the hardest job, especially holding the rudder in place.

The cold winter wind was chilling to the bone. The river was half frozen over; yesterday, Big Jake had fallen and cut his hand. Then as he skinned a muskrat, the blood had gotten into the cut. Big Jake was not well at all today.

You’re sick, Pa, Jim told his dad.

Don’t tell your mother, boy, or we’ll be stuck here.

Two days before, two crows had circled Jim’s mother, screaming at her. When Hawk saw this he started to go into the sweat lodge.

Two circles around Mrs. McKenon, Hawk told Jim.

What is the matter with you, Hawk? asked Jim.

Bad sign, Jim, someone may die! said Hawk. You know, Jim, the circle of life.

See you in the morning, Hawk, good night, said Jim.

The morning was cold when slowly, Jim slipped out of bed. Big Jake was already loading the boat. His Cherokee looks and red Irish hair, pulled and tied in the back, caused the man to stand out. His long nose had come from the Cherokee side of his family. Jake was six foot and five inches tall. The Indians named him Jake Tall Bear. Once Jake had to shoot a bear. When the bear didn’t die, Jake had to kill the bear with his knife. Two days ago, a steamboat agent rode thru the village, trying to buy the furs at half price. After, the man made insulting remarks about the Indians. Jake said a few words. Cut rate prices, huh? said Jake. Big Jake had advised the man to leave the village quick. But today, he was sick.

Good morning, Hawk, said Jim.

Good morning to you, Sir Sleeps a Lot! said Hawk.

I was told that I have already been named by your tribe, said Jim.

Only by Little Rose, Hawk told Jim. By the way, I saw you two down by the willows the other day, when are you going to build her a lodge, Mr. Carp? asked Hawk. Hawk was having some fun.

I only gave her some fish to take to her aunt, Hawk! said Jim. Mrs McKenon pretended to look outside to keep from laughing.

The both of you better hurry, or Jake will leave you here. Jim, you and Hawk take care of Jake, said Mrs. McKenon.

I will if I can, Mom, but he’s bad sick, said Jim. But we’ll try, Mom.

Hawk was half a head taller than Jim, or Carp, as the Mandan had named him for catching fish with his hands. Hawk’s eyes were black as night from his dad’s side of his family. But when Hawk wore store-bought clothes, he looked English. Except for his black hair, most of Hawk’s people were blue eyed and spoke Welsh. Hawk’s brother, Cloud, was the same when the Sioux got to close to him. Then he would come back to the village. Big Jake had dressed Hawk and Cloud in white man’s clothes since they were five- and six-year-olds.

Mrs. McKenon had fried rabbit, gravy, and biscuits for breakfast. Then she started packing food for the trip. She had been sick herself for more than a year. Still, Mrs. McKenon kept going. For some reason today, she had a look of fear on her face. Maybe it was the crows. To her, Fort Rice was a long way from home. Carp and Hawk headed for the boat.

Big Jake went back to tell his wife good-bye; he came out with his old musket on his shoulder. Thinking out loud, he said, I need a new rifle. Carl ran Big Jake’s trapline this morning; he came back just in time to push the boat out into the river.

You caught some mink, beaver, and rabbit Pa! said Carl.

You skin ’em, son, we’ll take ’em in next trip.

Yes, sir, Pa, said Carl. Hope you have a good trip.

Thanks, son, I love you, take care of your ma, said Big Jake. Get Little Flower to help her.

The flatboat was large enough to carry three barrels of salted fish plus all the fur. Jake had mounted three buffalo hides over the top on a frame for cover. The next day, Jim said, Thank God for the covers over us. It would take three days to reach Fort Rice, and sometimes the ice was hard to break away from the boat. This was slowing the boat down. The next day had warmed very little as they slowly drifted east. By two o’clock that afternoon, the temperature was near to freezing.

Hawk, you and Carp find a good landing spot, it’s too cold to stay in this boat tonight, said Jake.

All right, Pa, we’ll go to land. Hawk was sitting forward in the boat. Carp used the rudder, but the ice made it harder to control the boat.

There is a good place to land, said Hawk.

I know, said Carp. But it’s getting hard to steer.

You boys tie the boat off good, said Jake. Carp wondered why his dad was telling them every move to make now. Then he noticed his dad shaking.

Hawk, see if Pa’s got a fever! said Jim. Look at his face.

I know, Carp, said Hawk. Yes, he has a fever.

Hawk, help me tie off, said Jim. Big Jake moved forward but nearly fell into the river. Jake’s face was red, his eyes looked like tearing. Both boys had to help Jake get off the boat.

Hawk, I’m going to cut some lodgepoles for a teepee, said Jim, We can use the buffalo hides for cover, I’ll have to make some holes in the outside of the hides for spots to tie them down.

Good thinking, Carp, I’ll start a fire and boil some willow bark tea, said Hawk.

Hawk headed for the willow trees. Both boys worked very quickly. Soon, very soon Pa, you’ll be out of the weather. Carp was digging under the heavy growth for dry grass to put under Jake’s buffalo robe. Carp was thinking to himself, this will keep Pa off the cold ground. Within a few feet of Carp sat a rabbit.

I need the gun, said Carp. But the poor rabbit was to cold to run. Carp threw the hatchet. The poor rabbit fell over dead. Now the temperature had dropped to freezing. Hawk had a fire going outside the teepee, boiling willow bark tea for the fever. Inside the shelter, he built a smaller fire inside a circle of stones. Carp dropped the rabbit on the ground by the outside fire and took the dry grass inside the teepee.

Roll over, Pa, said Carp.

It hurts, son, said Jake.

I know, Pa, but this will make it better, said Carp as he placed the grass under Jake then placed a dry buffalo robe over the grass. Now, Pa, roll over on the robe.

Here’s some willow tea, Jake, said Hawk. I cleaned and put your rabbit on to boil, he said to Jim.

Hawk went back outside to gather firewood for the night. Hawk walked up and down the riverbank, gathering wood.

Pa, you think we need to go back home? asked Jim.

No, son, it would take you two days to get me back home in bad weather, on foot, the other way. You might make it in a day and a half on the river, said Jake who was now sweating. I’ll see a doctor at Fort Rice.

But how do you feel? asked Jim.

Sick, son, said Jake. The worst headache I’ve ever had in my life.

Are you any warmer now, Pa? asked Carp.

Very warm now, son, said Jake. I smell food.

Yes, sir, Hawk’s boiling rabbit that I killed.

Hawk headed to the boat for bread and salt. Carp sprinkled in the salt on the rabbit. When the rabbit was full cooked, Hawk dipped out some broth.

Here, Jake, try to drink some of this broth, said Hawk. Then Hawk ate and lay down. Jim took the first watch. Jim was almost a sleep around eleven o’clock when a bloodcurdling scream, like a woman screaming, came from the boat. Everyone was now awake.

Carp, go check the boat, said Hawk.

No, thank you, Hawk, you go, said Jim. Carp started out of the teepee with the rifle.

No Jim, said Big Jake. Just put some more wood on the outside fire, and a little wood in here. That’s just a panther after our food.

Well, he won’t get the bread unless he gets us, said Hawk. I brought it all in the teepee.

Can you see the boat, Jim? asked Big Jake.

No, sir, it’s snowing.

That’s what I’m talking about, you can’t hit what you cant see. Carp built up both fires, came back, and sat down in the doorway.

I wonder if Rose is cold tonight at the chief’s lodge. Hawk let out a laugh. Hawk, I’m going to kill you, Rose is Carl’s friend more than me, said Jim.

Both of you, go to sleep, said Jake. Hawk took the rifle. You go to sleep, fish.

I hope the panther eats you, Jim told Hawk.

By morning, the snow had stopped. The only thing the panther left was flour in a small barrel. The sun came out from behind big clouds at times. This helped a little. Big Jake was very sick that day. His head was drawn back, and he was stiff in his back.

My head hurts really bad, he told Jim. The boys and Jake had brought two large cast-iron dutch ovens along for cooking food.

Jim, I’m going to find some flat stones to put in the bottom of that boat, said Hawk. Then we can put one of those dutch ovens on the stones.

Then what, Hawk? asked Jim.

We can build a fire in the pot, said Hawk.

Hawk set about to find the stones.

I’ll break the wood small enough to fit in the pot, said Jim. Help me get Pa off this robe, Hawk, Jim asked. They finished the stones and firewood.

You got the teepee robes for cover already, Jim? asked Hawk.

Already on the boat, said Jim. I’m going to put this dry grass on the floor before we put this dry robe in, Hawk, maybe it will help hold the heat. Then it was time to carry Big Jake to the boat.

I didn’t know your dad was big until now, said Hawk.

It’s hard to move Pa, said Jim.

You set any rabbit snares yesterday, Hawk?

Yes I did Jim, said Hawk.

I’ve got all the firewood the boat can hold, Hawk, said Jim. Did you get the willow bark tea? Hawk replied up front. Good ’cause Pa’s fever is real high, this morning.

Carp, I caught one rabbit last night! said Hawk.

Where’s it at, Hawk? Jim asked.

Look in the corner behind you. The boys turned the boat sideways to jump in.

The rifle, Jim, said Big Jake. Get the rifle. The rifle was leaning at a willow tree. Hawk ran back and picked it up.

Hurry, Hawk, I can’t hold this boat, said Jim. Carp cleaned the rabbit, saving the liver and heart for fish bait. Hawk cut the rabbit up, put salt in the only cooking pot. Then he set one cooking pot over the other.

You have got to have airspace, said Jim.

Airspace? asked Hawk.

Yes, to make the fire burn, said Carp.

What can we use, Jim? asked Hawk.

Put the big metal spoon across the fire pot on one side! said Carp. Hawk broke up some more firewood and went to bed.

Carp worked the rudder, and Hawk sleep ’til noon.

The rabbit’s about cooked, said Carp.

I think I’ll make some fresh bread, said Hawk when the rabbit was finished. The snow has stopped, Carp!

Yes, said, Carp. But I think it’s going to start up again, look at those clouds coming over the mountains. Hawk took to checking the little stove, then he took the rudder. Wake me up, when the rabbit’s ready to eat, Hawk. Hawk found the store-bought fishing line Jake had brought him last year. Then he cut off about twenty foot twice. On the fishing line, he put a cork on each and a river hook. Using the lodgepoles, he tied two fishing lines dragging behind the boat.

Get up, Carp, let’s eat, said Hawk. Big Jake opened his eyes too. Carp got up and relieved himself over the boat. Then he washed his hands in the river. Next he found Jake’s metal cup and dipped out some hot steaming rabbit broth.

Here, Pa, rabbit soup. Jake drank a few spoonfuls and started shaking again. Jake shook his head no more.

All right, Pa, said Carp. Carp ate some rabbit and lay down under the shelter. Not much warmer! he said.

Listen, Hawk.

Carp said, Yes, sir!

You and Carp try to stay on the river tonight. Jim thought for a minute, he thinks I’m Hawk.

Do you think we can survive on this river all night, Hawk? Jake asked. If we could, we would reach Fort Rice tomorrow by noon at worst.

Jim told his dad, Yes, sir, and went to sleep.

Jim woke up about three hours later; he had just gotten warm when he woke up.

Help me get this fish in the boat, Carp! said Hawk. Hurry. This pole. Carp grabbed the pole; sure enough, there was a fish.

Hawk, you have caught a big fish, said Carp. Hawk turned the rudder loose to help Carp until the boat started turning sideways. Hawk, you get the boat I’ll get the fish in, said Carp.

I heard Jake tell you to stay on the river tonight, Jim, but we’re running out of firewood and willow tea, said Hawk. We’ll need both before dark.

I know, said Carp as he cleaned the big flopping fish.

Carp, take the rudder awhile. I’ll make a rack to slow dry some of the fish, the rest we can boil, not good but we can eat it, said Hawk.

All right, Hawk, Pa said if we stay mostly on the river, we’ll get to Fort Rice by noon tomorrow. The snow has stopped again, said Jim. It even looked like the sun might come out for a short time, but it did not! Hawk finished his fish rack and went to bed; he slept about three hours and woke up.

You still here, Carp? asked Hawk.

Where do you think I’d go, dummy? asked Carp, then Hawk laughed.

What’s that knocking on the side of the boat? asked Hawk.

Another fish on the other pole, said Carp.

How long has the fish been on there? ask Hawk.

A long ways, said Jim. It kept me awake. Hawk pulled in the second fish, cleaned it, and made some more bread. Carp ate more rabbit and lay down.

You know, that fish nearly got away, Jim, said Hawk.

So? I was too cold to care, said Jim.

Carp took over again, and Hawk went to bed. About three hours was all they could handle in the cold. It was dark, but the moon came out from behind the clouds once in a while. Carp put more wood in the makeshift stove. Ice built up around the rudder. Carp took a teepee pole and broke it loose. Then a panther screamed on the south bank of the river. Carp nearly jumped into the river. Probably the one that ate our dinner, thought Carp; next, he was talking out loud to stay awake. We’re running out of wood. By two o’clock, Carp was nearly froze.

Hawk slowly pulled himself out of bed.

Carp!

Yeah, Hawk, said Jim.

You still alive?

Barely, Hawk.

I’ll be there give me a minute. Hawk used the hatchet to make firewood of the lodge polls. Smokes but burns, said Hawk. See anything, Carp?

No, but a panther screamed on the south bank.

Big Jake is worse, Jim, said Hawk. His fever is up again.

We can’t do anything ’til morning, Hawk, good night, said Carp.

Do you think you could spare that extra blanket, Carp?

Sure, Hawk, that would help you, said Carp. Early in the morning, Carp felt the boat jar.

Ice, Hawk?

No, Carp, go back to sleep, said Hawk. But then Carp heard voices. Looking up the bank, he saw Hawk boiling willow bark for tea. About ten foot away stood a tall stranger with dirty clothes like the ones sailors wore except for his boots and hat. Stuck in his belt was a Navy Colt .36 caliber. The gun looked brand new. In the brush behind Hawk was a fat dirty man. Pants and shirt navy. The rest was local-store-bought dress. In his hand was a .31 baby dragon revolver pointed at the back of Hawk’s head.

The tall man asked, You haulin hides son?

Could be, said Hawk.

Could be? asked the tall man. What kind of answer is that? The fat man and his baby dragon flew backward, as Jake’s .50 caliber nearly tore the fat man’s head off. Hawk threw his hatchet into the tall man’s throat. The man stumbled around like a broken-necked chicken until Carp saw he couldn’t live. Then Carp picked up the baby dragon and shot the man twice.

Carp, catch Jake, he’s about to fall out of the boat! yelled Hawk. With the baby dragon still in his hand, Carp looked back at Hawk.

See if there is any more robbers, Hawk! Lie down, Pa, it’s all right now.

All right? Didn’t you just kill two men? asked Jake.

They tried to rob us, Pa, said Carp.

I can see you boys will make it for sure, said Jake. Jake was shaking bad now, and his fever was high.

No more humans, said Hawk. Then Hawk took the willow tea to the boat. He gathered firewood in a hurry. Carp handed Hawk his hatchet as he cleaned it in the river. Then Hawk was talking out loud. They tried to rob us! Carp took the tall man’s pistol, his holster, and all, even his belt. Looking behind the short fat man, Carp found a traveling bag. Then another half-covered with leaves under the willow tree. The bag was full of English coins. In the other bag was shot and powder. Carp strapped on the .36 caliber. He had to cut the belt down about four inches.

Hawk walked over to Carp.

The tea and woods on the boat. We need to go. I thank you for saving my life, said Hawk.

Our lives, said Carp. Hawk, I wonder who they robbed? Here, take these to the boat. Carp handed Hawk the bag and the baby dragon pistol. Shot’s in the bag, said Carp. Next, Carp found the two horses and a pack mule, more blankets, beef jerky, and some cheese wrapped neatly in brown paper. Carp pulled the saddles off the animals.

Now go west in a hurry, said Carp out loud. Carp waved a tree branch, all three animals headed west. Carp came down the hill with the small amount of food. Carp didn’t feel sick until he stopped in the boat, then he had to hang his head over the boat side; he was sick to his stomach.

Carp, you know, you saved my life back there, said Hawk.

Listen, Hawk, you would have done the same for me, so don’t mention this again, said Carp. Carp did not feel like talking.

I know you’re sick, said Hawk. So was I, when I killed my first Sioux.

Again, Jake said, You two will make it fine in life, just be sure to tell the family I love them, Carl, your mother, Cloud, and Little Rose.

Now, Pa, you’ll be OK, said Carp.

Son, I’d like to think so, but no, I want be, said Jake. "I know I’m dying. You boys just take care of Ma.

It will take you and Hawk another two and a half hours to reach Fort Rice, so stay in the middle of the river.

We will try to get there by staying in the current, Pa, said Jim. Jake smiled at Hawk.

I’m proud of all you boys. I hope you are friends for a lifetime!

We will be, Jake, said Hawk.

The snow is melting, said Jake. The little animals will start moving about more, the rabbits, birds, and the sun feels good.

Jake is right, said Hawk. I see Fort Rice. They tied off at the first dock they came to. Carp went to find a doctor. Not knowing which way to go, he turned left. The first place he found was a bar and dining area inside a Road House. Carp walked to a small group of people.

Which way to a doctor? he asked. He quickly stated again, Which way to the doctor? A big man with his back to Carp asked, What reason?

"My father is very sick, sir! said Carp. When the man turned around, the first thing he noticed was the gun and belt on Carp. The gun had a carving of a whale on the handles.

Where is your Pa, son?

Down at the boat dock, said Carp.

Come with me, we’ll fetch a wagon, where you from, young man?

Up by the Mandans, sir, the small band that broke away from the upper fort, sir. Without asking anyone, the big man hooked up the mules and wagon. No one asked him why.

You come down the river in a boat? Yes sir, my dad, my friend Hawk, and myself."

You see anyone on the way?

Could be, said Jim.

Could be, what kind of answer is that? My name is Ben, son, what’s yours?

Jim, or Carp. The Mandan call me Carp, my mother calls me Jim. Now Ben, are you looking for anyone? asked Carp.

Two killers, said Ben. The two men I ask about killed two men in the Road House two nights ago. One of the men was the owner.

Robbery sir? asked Carp.

Naw, said Ben. A card game, too much money involved. Just low-down people.

"Where did they come from? asked Carp.

We don’t know anything except off the steamboat. They seemed to be sailors, said Ben.

"Then we did see them, Sheriff,’ said Carp.

You did! Where?

About two hours ride by boat coming east, on the south bank.

Do you think they are still there? Ben asked.

Yes sir, said Carp. Unless they have more than one life.

What are you saying, Carp? Ben asked again.

I’m telling you, they tried to rob us of our furs, Hawk and I killed them and left them on the south bank of the river.

Mercy, boy, how did you do that? asked Ben.

I shot the fat one, and Hawk put a hatchet in the tall one. When I seen the tall man could not live, I shot him twice.

So that’s how you got his gun, said Ben.

That’s it Ben, said Carp.

Let’s get your dad down to the doctor. What did you do with the men’s horse’s? said Ben.

We turned them loose. Now where is the doctor, sheriff? asked Carp.

Next to the jail.

And where is the jail? asked Carp.

To the left up the street. Ben pointed behind them.

Hawk can go with you, and I’ll talk to the buyer.

Your dad only deals with the man in the green front building, down the street there. You’ll need to move your boat down to the third dock.

I’ll stay with the boat then, said Hawk.

I’ll just help you move it then, said Ben. It took all three to get Jake out of the boat.

I’ll talk to Hawk, if his story matches yours, we’ll just go pick up the bodies, said Ben.

The sheriff was about thirty-five years old, five foot ten or eleven inches tall. He weighed a good two hundred pounds and wore a .44 on his hip, with a six-inch barrel. A scar ran down the left side of his face. Hawk waved at Carp with some kind of sign talk.

I’ll be back soon as Dad’s set, said Carp.

Good, said Hawk.

By the way Carp, Ben called out. If I find any relatives of the dead men, you’ll have to give the guns back.

Fair enough, Sheriff, said Carp. Hawk was already untying the boat. The sheriff and Hawk slowly drifted to the third dock. Ben asked the same questions to Hawk. But he did not go in the front door of the building when he left the boat. The sheriff went up the alleyway beside the building. Hawk was real hungry, so he thought about leaving the boat since the fur store was in a straight line of sight. No way, he told himself. I’d better wait for Jim to come back.

Hawk lifted the lid on the dutch oven and took out some boiled fish. He took two bites, and his stomach turned. Oh well, enough of that, said Hawk. Now he talked out loud. Mrs. McKenon’s cooking sure would taste good, or even Little Rose’s cooking. I’ll take a sleep.

Hey, lazy, get up! Hawk, you had any food? asked Jim.

No, man, I’m hungry too, said Hawk.

Hawk, we need to sell this stuff as quickly as we can. It is still cold on this river, can you watch a few more minutes? Jim asked. ’Til I get back.

Only, if you hurry, said Hawk, his hair flopping in the wind. I lost my metal comb in the river, Carp, see if you can buy one.

A small man with a mustache and eye glasses, wearing a blue bowtie, was spit-chewing tobacco in a bucket.

Can I help you, young man?

Yes, sir, I have some furs, and two barrels of unopened salt fish to sell, said Carp. I checked with the other buyers.

Son, what you’re trying to do is tell me a good lie. Carp’s face went red, and he turned to walk out. The old man said, Your Pa is Jake McKenon, a good friend of mine. He comes here every year to trade. Every year, son, for a long time. But never tried to tell me a lie. Now come back here, let’s start over. The old man kept talking. Yesterday, you killed the man that killed my partner, and you’re wearing the man’s gun. Now come over here and sit down. There was a chair at the end of the counter, which Carp sat down in. My partner was also my brother, said the old man. Now do you want to talk business?

Yes, sir, I do, but how did you know who I was? asked Carp.

Sheriff Ben told me. The old man said, My name is Burnstein. Carp said, Burnstein.

That’s right, young man.

I remember now, said Carp. My dad talked of you.

Lane, come help Mr. McKenon! Mr. Burnstein called out.

Lane came in from a back door. Without talking, the large Chinese boy came to the storefront. Mr. Burnstein only said, Third dock. Shortly, Lane came back to get a two-wheel cart. On this he carried the barrels of fish. In another small wagon, a little too small for horses, Lane came back for the furs.

Jim walked back to the dock.

Carp, I’m starving to death. Jim laughed. I know, Hawk, help us load these furs. Lane pushed the furs to a side door then took them inside. Then Lane walked to the store front and said something to Mr. Burstein. Then Lane left the building. He went back and pointed for Hawk to go inside; the store was warm inside.

I don’t think Lane can talk, said Hawk.

Where do you want the furs Mr. Burnstein? asked Carp.

Right where Lane put them, said Mr. Burnstein as he looked through his glasses.

It was all we could do to get up the hill with the furs, said Jim. I don’t think Hawk and I could have brought those barrels of fish up. Mr. Burnstein kept working on his books. The old man looked toward the back. Lane will have you some food in the back. Mr. Burnstein talked and went back to his books.

A potbellied stove sat in a large room. The fur room was in back of this room with no heat whatsoever; it seemed colder than the outside. But in the center room with the stove, several beds were lined against two walls, it was a large room. On the stove was a coffeepot full of coffee.

That’s the best-smelling coffee I have ever smelled, said Hawk. Hawk’s eyes looked like two big lamps. Then Mr. Burnstein came to the back.

You boys help yourself to the coffee, cups are on the table over there. Not too far from the table, a water pump sat inside the store building. Wash over there.

How does it work? asked Jim. The old man laughed. The same question your Pa asked. A small cup of water sat on a small table in front of the pump. Mr. Burnstein poured the water down the top of the pump, sliding a pan