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Welcome Bonanza Friends |
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Story of the Month
When the coach stopped again, Adam jumped out and took a look around. “Doesn’t
look too good, does it?” he remarked to Dev Drury.
Dev shrugged and leaned back against the coach, puffing on a cheroot. “Charley says he can
make it, and I’ve seen him drive in worse. Mind you, not much worse.” He
nodded toward the west, “More snow comin’ in and we gotta climb another thousand feet yet.”
“Never did like this bit of the trail even in summer. The drop off to Sayles Canyon is sheer,
and the road twists like a rattler.” Dev chuckled,
“Then, if we make that, the drop off on the other side of the pass is worse, and it’s crooked as a dog’s
hind leg. At least you are inside and can’t see the danger.”
Adam twisted his mouth in a wry smile, “Not sure that’s an advantage.”
Charley came up behind them, “What’s an advantage?”
Adam turned to the driver and shook his head, “Dev thinks it’s better to be on the inside of the coach
and not see the hazards.”
Charley gave a grim laugh, “This snow keeps up, he won’t see ‘em either. It could
be a whiteout on top.”
Dev grunted and climbed back aboard. “Cheerful ain’t he?”
Adam opened the door and got back inside, planning to say a few prayers while the coach ran the next twenty-five miles
over the pass and down to Lake Valley. “Problems?”
Joe asked.
Adam inclined his head toward the ladies, “Nothing, Charley can’t handle. But we could
be shoveling snow up on the high road over the pass. It’s coming down faster now and settling.”
Joe grunted as he snuggled under the buffalo robe provided by the company, “Might keep us warm.” |
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Ben had not slept well, dozing and waking during the night as he often did these days. Unfortunately, he
had dozed off just before dawn and then overslept. He awoke with a start when he heard Hop Sing shouting somewhere
below and realised that he could smell breakfast cooking. He climbed out of bed, feeling as tired as
when he had climbed in, and walked to the window. The snow had stopped but the drifts where deep and piled against the barn and
the house. His bad mood was not improved by the sight of Hoss and Joe throwing snowballs at each other
instead of clearing the snow away from the doors. He dressed hurriedly and went down to stop the fun and
put them to work. Breakfast
was eaten in silence. Hoss and Joe were wary, having been lectured on getting chores done before play, and Adam had
no intention of opening a conversation that might lead to a discussion of the previous evening. Finally,
Ben pushed back his chair and spoke. 'It’s getting late. You two should be on your way
to school by now,' he nodded at Hoss and Joe. Joe scowled and Hoss protested,
'But Pa, the snows real deep. I thought.....' His voice
trailed away as he saw the look on his father's face. 'I don't care what you thought, young
man. The weather is perfectly clear and there is no reason why you can't ride to school.
If it snows again later, I'm sure Mr Lawson will send you home. You get plenty of days off
in winter without wasting anymore than is necessary.' Ben stood up and put his chair back under the
table. 'And when you get home tonight, you can both spend some time tidying up your rooms.
Hop Sing has enough to do without running after you two,' he added. Turning his attention to his
eldest son he spoke sharply 'Adam, we need to get some hay up to the herd. You can get a couple of the hands to help
you and when you get back we need the rest of those logs split.' He moved towards his desk. All three boys sighed and then adjusted their expressions when Ben turned around and glared at them. 'It’s
about time the three of you took your responsibilities a little more seriously,' he snapped.
'That reminds me, Adam, I want to talk to you before you go out,' his tone leaving Adam in no doubt that it wasn't
about taking hay to the herd.
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