A Journey

By John Green

The book A Journey as a continuation from the book The Mission were they had moved to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado to start their ranch who with the help of two mountain man and some Indians: search for lost cattle to add to their ranch and working at doing the things needed to survive life in the Rocky Mountains.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 14, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483674377

John Green

John Green attended a boarding school in Alabama not entirely unlike ALASKA’s Culver Creek. After graduating from college in 2000, he moved to Chicago, where is is a writer, editor and reviewer, as well as a regular contributor to public radio. LOOKING FOR ALASKA is his first novel.

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Copyright © 2013 by John Green.

ISBN:          Softcover                                 978-1-4836-7436-0

                   Ebook                                      978-1-4836-7437-7

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.

Rev. date: 08/12/2013

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Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 1

Shep, Billy and Mountain were up before the sun and had the horses watered and tied out on grass before breakfast was done, and were walking up to where the cook fire was.

Shep you think he’s getting lazy on us or what? Mountain asked.

I don’t know, Shep answered, what do you think Billy? He asked.

Oh he was probably dreaming about hearing cows, thinking he was herding again, like in his younger days and he was waiting on Salt to cook breakfast, Billy explained.

Huh, I guess no one is going to show up for breakfast I’ll throw it out to the wolves, Bob said.

Wait a minute; I can’t believe it, Bob already has breakfast ready and the sun’s not even up yet! Billy restated his answer.

That’s what I thought you said, Bob said, you gona do anything today or are you gona wait till snow flies before we go get those cows you been dreaming about? he asked.

I can’t believe he’d be talking about you like that Mountain and you to Shep, why everybody’s been working their self’s to a frazzle and he talks about us like that, Billy said.

There he goes working his tongue to a frazzle again, Bob said, maybe that’s why he’s always hungry, his jaw muscles are attached to his inners and it keeps working his food down all the time, he suggested.

Could be, Mountain agreed.

I bet that’s it, Shep also agreed.

On second thought I don’t know, my little buddy talks all the time but, his food sticks to him, Mountain said.

Oh don’t worry, Billy and Slim’s will be sticking to them when they get older, Bob explained.

Hum, fat on Slim just doesn’t seem possible, Shep questioned.

Speaking of fat, Billy began, I’m not going to get any if we don’t start eating, he explained.

Always hungry, never gets full that he’s not thinking about the next meal, Bob explained, I think I’ll stop feeding him till he gets the house done, he added.

Now you’re getting to him, Mountain agreed, sure glad we’re going hunting Shep, that way Bob and Billy can bond, he added.

Yeah no doubt, Shep agreed, digging in, they did what hungry man will do and conversation died for a short period.

Boys it’s getting daylight we better get moving, Mountain suggested.

Yeah, I guess I’ll put your horse on the drag this morning Bob, that way we can get him used to it, Shep said.

That’s a good ideal, Bob agreed, be a whole lot faster than Billy packing his own mud and rocks," he added.

Shep went and got Bob horse and took him over to the traverse and put it on him, he stamped his foot a little bit not liking the poles down his side but, he did not put up much of a fight, Shep then led him over to the clay pile and shoveled some on, but not too much the first time he wanted him to get used to it before he loaded it up.

Billy started mixing some of the mud up and Mountain went up on the roof to get ready to start pulling it up and applying it to the roof, after Bob finished cleaning up after breakfast, he started digging more clay for the house; not only did he want to get the house and the cows brought home, he realized they had a lot of other work to be done before winter set in.

Bob planned to work on the corral while they cut and stacked hay and while Slim was breaking horses, also he realized Mountain and Hawk would be going home some day and that would make two less very capable hands.

With Mountains helped the house went up a lot faster than they had expected and with Hawks knowledge of the area it sped up the gate process also, otherwise, Slim would have had to search the wall all the way around for possible places for wildlife and cows to escape, they needed to get a barn put up for shelter for the riding stock plus some kind of shelter for the rest of them and if they got hay piled up close to springs all the livestock would be all right, all in all though things were coming along very well.

Shep came back for more mud interrupting his thoughts.

About three hours we ought to have the house done, Shep said.

Yeah hopefully we’ll be about done with the fireplace and started on the chimney, Bob said, Hope y’all can keep that Indian boy from getting hurt, he added.

I know it won’t be good if he gets hurt or worse yet killed, Shep agreed.

We know what she’s capable of and we need this friendship it’ll make our lives just a whole lot easier, Bob explained.

I’ll keep her tied to Red and then tie an elk to her, Shep stated, bet that will wear her down and maybe she won’t be so mean, he added.

I don’t know, you pulled logs with her all day, the day before she kill the Pagan, Bob reminded him.

That’s true, Shep agreed, We’ll just have to do our best to keep that from happening, he added.

You better get some mud over there, Billy is looking over at us like we are goofing off, Bob said.

I better get him some more mud, don’t want him thinking we ain’t doing our part, Shep agreed.

Better not let him run out after all the grief I gave him this morning, Bob said. Shep chuckled and started the horse back over with another load of clay.

He talks about me jawing, Billy said, I didn’t think you two were going to stop, he added.

We were talking about all the work we have to do and he’s worried about the Indian boy, Shep explains.

Little bit worried about that myself, Billy agreed.

Yeah I know but I’m going to let Mountain take care of it for the most part, Shep explained.

I see how you are, Mountain said, let Mountain face the hostile Indians, he exclaimed.

Now wait a minute let me explain, Shep said. I’m going to try to control Beulah, while you are introducing and controlling the Runt, Shep explained.

Now that you put it that way it sounds a little better, Mountain said, not sure who’s got the biggest job though? He questioned.

Hard to say on that one, Billy agreed, I know there ain’t any way to predicting in Beulah though, he added.

Or Runt for that matter, Mountain said.

I just hope she trusts me enough not to go crazy, Shep said.

Looking at her now feeding, oh so peacefully, Mountain said.

I’ve seen her peaceful and not, Billy said.

Well were going see how she acts this afternoon, Mountain said.

Yeah well I better get some more clay for the mud, Shep said. Shep hauled more clay till he had a pretty large pile, then he started mixing and Bob started hauling clay for the fire place and chimney, midmorning Billy told Shep one more bucket; shortly Billy and Mountain came off the roof, Shep and Mountain cleaned up and got their gear together and they saddled their horses.

Billy started leveling the spot for the chimney site, Bob got there supplies together for them to take along and they were going through the gate that goes to the high Meadow by noon.

Well we’ll be up at the big spring by mid afternoon, Mountain said, I’d say Little Beaver and six or seven others will be there, he added.

I’ll tie her close before we get there, that way maybe she won’t go completely crazy on us, Shep said.

I hope she don’t, but what ever it should be an interesting afternoon, Mountain said.

That’s for sure, Shep agreed, Maybe we’ll be lucky and she won’t be too bad and Running Wolf will keep his distance, he added.

That would be nice but, don’t let your worry bog down your mind so that you miss all the beauty on the way up here on top and remember what we told you about the winter and livestock up here, Mountain suggested.

That height makes that much difference? Shep asked.

Oh yeah, snow will be on anywhere from one to two months longer up here on this Meadow, Mountain answered, and the higher you go the longer it stays and the earlier it comes, he explained.

We will take your word for it, this is all new to us newcomers, Shep replied.

Hawk and I had to learn some things the hard and cold way, Mountain explained, let’s just say we’d like to pass that knowledge on to you all, make it a lot easier on y’all, he added.

We do appreciate it, we really do, Shep said.

Watch the animals, wildlife will tell you more about the weather that anything, deer and elk bunch up, yet your cows close to hay you have piled by a spring because it’s coming, Mountain explained, you can leave the gate we just came through open come fall and when the horses, elk and deer come down and you haven’t already brought your cows down, go get them quick, snow is coming, he added.

Those are things I’ll keep in mind, Shep agreed, I’ve learned to pay attention to Beulah down south, if she got nervous and wanted to run I led her because, almost always whoops, hollers’ and arrows were coming next, he explained. Mountain laughed.

I know how that is, Mountain said, for the most part they’re friendly here, but you go further north, they ain’t, he explains.

That’s the way it is down south to, Shep agreed, crazy what they’ll do, one time they’ll tackle hell with a bucket of water and the next time twenty of them are afraid of one man, he explained.

That’s the way most of them are except Black Feet, they hate all whites, Mountain said, they’re either brave or they’re plum crazy one, then again they probably stay clear of you though, they think you’re gifted the way the story is told about your turning to Salt or he is your protector soul they won’t mess with the spirits, they go see those visions and I don’t know what all for sure they say that they don’t like it, he explained.

I’ve been told some see their death and others see their glory, Shep said.

For some it’s one and the same, Mountain explained, ain’t sure what Beulah sees, he added.

Shep reached out and patted you on the head, it’s all right girl these folks are good folks, Shep reassured her, she came closer to Shep with their head right against his leg.

One things for sure she trusts you boy, Mountain observed.

That or she wants to be close enough to me to bite my legs if they shoot her, Shep said.

Hadn’t thought of that, it could very well be, Mountain laughed.

They went around a small patch of timber then over a rise were, they could look down on the spring, Little Beaver, Head in the Clouds, and Running Elk were cutting up meat and put it in on racks to dry, Little Beaver turned and looked their way sensing their presence.

Mountain waved and Little Beaver waved in return, Beulah was pushing so hard on Shep’s leg it hurt.

Let’s get this over with before she breaks my cotton picking leg, Shep said.

Okay let’s go, Mountain agreed. They rode down the hill to the spring.

Hello, Little Beaver greeted.

Hell, Little Beaver, this is Shep, Mountains said while pointing at Shep.

Ghost son, we have heard of him, Head is in the Clouds said.

That would be true, Mountain said.

Hello, Shep said.

This is my son Running Elk and Head in the Clouds, Little Beaver introduced.

Glad to meet you, Shep replied.

Mountain why does he have that horse tied so close for? Running Elk asked.

So she does not eat Runt, Mountain answered.

Shep’s mouth dropped open and he was shaking his head and thinking to his self this is going to be good.

I am not afraid of that horse, Runt said.

Well you need to be, Mountain advised him.

To prove he wasn’t scared he marched right over to her, Mountain was off his horse and between them a whole lot faster than anyone would’ve thought a man his size could move, he grabbed Beulah by the mane and Runt by the arm right before Beulah could bite him, it was a funny sight to see, Mountain had Runt in the air in one hand and pert near had Beulah’s front feet off the ground in the other.

Beulah behave, and to Runt, boy that horse is a killer and she protects Shep, you can’t just walk up to her like that, Mountain said. Shep has to introduce you to her and tell her it’s okay and even at that she still might bite you, you understand, he explained. He shook his head up and down.

Mountain put Runt back on the ground, him and Beulah were giving each other the eye so to speak, Shep got down and walked around to were Runt was standing, stuck out his hand for Runt to shake.

It’s all right, Mountain said, so Runt shook Shep’s hand, Shep also shook hands with Little Beaver and Head in the Clouds.

Glad to meet y’all, Shep said, I am sorry about my horse being so unfriendly but, she’s very protective, he explained.

Glad to meet you, have heard many stories about you, Little Beaver said.

Heard a few stories about y’all as well from Mountain and Hawk, Shep replied.

Head in the Clouds pointed at Mountain, from him all right but, from Hawk, he raised his hands into the air who knows, he explained, and they all laughed.

Beulah blew and stomped her foot, Runt and her were still eyeing each other, Shep walked up to Beulah and patted her on the neck.

Now quit that and calm down, Running Elk walk over here close but be careful she still may try to bite you, Shep directed.

Running Elk walk over close to Beulah, she didn’t like it but, Shep was petting her and telling her it was all right, Runt reached out and touched her, she tried to get around Shep and bite him but she couldn’t because she was still tied to Red and Shep grabbed her head also while Runt jump back out of the way.

Now stop that Beulah, these are our friends, Shep said. Runt walk back up and put his hand on Beulah and petted Beulah, and she shuddered all over, Runt continued to pet her for a few moments and then he walked away.

I don’t think she likes me at all Mountain, Runt said.

It’s all right, that horse likes few people, Shep and his wife to be and sometimes she doesn’t like Shep, Mountain said.

She seems to know every time we are near, Head in the Clouds said.

Yes she does, Mountain agreed, Little Beaver, Head in the Clouds would you still be willing to help us bring the cows to long valley? He asked, getting right to the point.

Little Beaver looked at Head in the Clouds who raised his head slightly.

Yes but it will have to be after we get enough meat took back to our camp, Little Beaver replied.

Runt, Shep and I will get you some more, Mountain said, how many do you want? He asked.

Four more, Little Beaver answered.

We’ll go get them, Mountain said, do you have anyone else up here with you? He asked.

There will be two young boys are late today to take meat back to camp in the morning, Little Beaver replied.

Okay let’s just make sure we introduce them to Beulah, Mountain suggested, Shep and Mountain mounted up and were waiting on Runt to got his horse and bow, Mountain led off toward the southwest.

Runt where did y’all see the elk last? Mountain asked.

Over where the water runs out of the wall, Runt answered.

"They went over to the rim where the woods circles that little patch of grass with the spring running through it, where there is usually a big herd of elk there, Mountain had suggested

Mountain when you going to let me shoot your gun? Runt asked.

When I deciding your big enough and I don’t think you are yet, it was still knock you down, Mountain answered.

I am big enough, Runt argued.

Maybe in a couple more years you may be, Mountain replied.

If you wasn’t so big I’d whip you and show you I’m big enough, Runt said. Mountain laughed

You got the heart boy you just ain’t got the body, but maybe someday, Mountain said.

Runt stopped and pointed up ahead, there was a group of elk headed across the meadow.

Well Shep lets pick all four of them from here, Mountain suggested, so they got down off of their horses, Shep found a rock close by to rest his gun on.

I’ll shoot two toward the back of the line Mountain, Shep said.

Okay just say when, Mountain replied, Mountain was shooting over his saddle and was ready.

Fire, Shep said, both for them shot twice and five elk dropped.

That was almost too easy, Mountain said.

Yeah it was and it looks like we got one to take to Bob also, Shep replied.

Yeah that is unless, they decide they want all five, Mountain explained.

Well that would be all right if they do, Shep said.

That is why I want to learn to shoot, Runt said, it is way easier than bow and arrows, he explained.

It is that; we better get busy we got a pretty good job to do, Mountain said.

Yes we do, Shep agreed, what do you think Mountain dressed them here and then let Beulah drag them back to camp? He asked.

Yeah, Runt and I would get them ready and you can drag them to camp, Mountain suggested.

Shep took his saddle off Red and put it on Beulah; he picketed Red on some grass a little ways away from the elk, then after they got one of the elk field dressed he tied it behind Beulah and then drag it to Little Beaver and Head in the Clouds so they could begin working it up, Little Beaver and Head in the Clouds were surprised to see them already.

You’ve got one already? Little Beaver asked.

We were very lucky we already have five, Shep replied.

We only heard four shots, Head in the Clouds said.

Yes but, one of the bullets killed two, Shep answered, were would you like me to put them? He asked.

Over her close to the water where it’s starts running out away from the spring, Little Beaver directed, that way we can wash it before we put it on the rack and not pollute the water in the spring, five of them, huh, he added.

Like I said we were lucky, Shep said. They untied his rope.

I’ll be back in a little wall with another one, he said. Little Beaver and Head in the Clouds nodded their heads and went to work on skinning the elk.

Lucky you think? Little Beaver asked after Shep had left.

Maybe yes maybe no, Head in the Clouds answered.

Mountain and Runt had two more of the elk ready when Shep got back they tied one on to Beulah and they headed back to camp. Runt watched of them go.

What’s you thinking about boy? Mountain asked.

That horse doesn’t seem mean, Runt said.

That horse is mean and don’t trust her, Mountain said, "I’ve seen her kill one Indian, so don’t push