Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: River (08/31/06)
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TITLE: River of Life (iv) | Previous Challenge Entry
By Larry Elliott
09/04/06 -
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“I have to.”
“You’ve got nothing to prove. Besides it’s Carson’s land now. He’s got legal right to build that dam.” Sarah pleaded.
“He’s got no moral right, and I’m not convinced about legal. The judge comes around in a few weeks, but that’ll be too late. That river is our life. Without it we don’t have a herd and without a herd...,” He paused. “We settled this spot because of the river, remember?”
“I know all that. God wouldn’t approve you lookin’ for a fight, though.”
“I’m not. I’m just gonna try reasonin’ with Carson.”
“At least pray with me before you go, please?” She threw her arms around his neck.
They prayed for Matthew’s safety and Carson’s callous heart.
“I’ll be back by supper.” He kissed his wife and rode off.
Matthew stopped at the river’s fork where the dam blocked the branch that ran through his property. Carson’s men had done a good job.
He shook his head and headed for Carson’s ranch.
“Help… help… me. Somebody…” The plea trailed off to silence.
Matthew jumped from his horse and ran to the edge of the dam.
“Who’s there? Where are you?” He shouted through cupped hands.
“Down here… bottom of… dam. Please, I’m hurt.”
Matthew slid down the muddy bank.
At the bottom he found Carson’s oldest son lying in a foot of muddy water, a huge log across his chest, struggling to keep his face above the water’s surface.
“Billy? I’m comin’.”
“It hurts, Mister Wilks.” He coughed. “I’m… sorry ‘bout the… dam. I…”
Wet wheezing sounds Matthew heard probably meant a punctured lung.
“Save your breath son. I’ll get you out. You’ll be ok.”
After placing his saddle bags under Billy’s head to keep it above water Matthew tied a rope to his saddle horn and the other end to the log. He grabbed the log to guide it away from the boy then shouted to his horse, “Haw, Buddy, haw. Come on, Buddy giddup, haw.”
The horse walked slowly forward pulling the log with ease.
“Whoa.”
Matthew gently carried the boy to the bank and tried to determine the extent of his injuries.
“Mister wilks?”
“Yes, son?”
“Am I… gonna die?” The boy coughed and a red frothy stream trickled from the corner of his mouth.
“I don’t know, son.”
“I did some… prayin’… lyin’ there. Will you… carry me back to the river… and baptize me?”
“I’m not a preacher, son.” Matthew hesitated.
“You’re a God fearin’ man…- I heard pa talkin’ about it. Does the Bible say… you got to be a preacher… to baptize somebody?” More coughing, more blood.
“No, I don’t reckon it does.”
Afterward Matthew constructed a skid for Billy and continued on slowly.
“Pa! A rider’s comin’. Looks like Wilks and he’s draggin’ somebody.”
“Fetch Pete and a couple of hired hands. Now!” Carson lit a cigar, and waited.
When Carson saw it was his son on the skid he immediately ordered Matthew off his horse at gunpoint.
“Pete, get a rope.”
“I found Billy by the dam.” Matthew implored.
“Then you killed him.” Carson spit out the cigar. “String him up, boys.”
“You’re wrong. I tried to help him. He’s not dead. He’s hurt bad though. He needs a doctor.”
“Pa! He’s right, Billy’s alive.”
“Pa… Pa…?” Billy could scarcely whisper.
Carson returned after a few minutes with his son. “Let him go.”
“What? You’re jokin’. He…” Pete began to question his boss.
“Do it! Now! Slim?”
“Yes sir?”
“Saddle Blackie and go get the doc.”
“Blackie?” No one rode Carson’s horse, not even his sons.
“If any of you pokes question me again I’ll… get goin’!” Carson’s gaze bore on Slim. “Pete, take a couple hands and some dynamite and go open up the dam.” His expression dared any one to complain.
Carson strode up to Matthew who offered his hand- Carson did not accept.
“Thanks, I…” Matthew started- Carson cut him off.
“Look, Wilks, I’m not doin’ this for you, I made a promise to my son. He told me what happened and what you did. For that I’m grateful. Now I think you’d better leave.”
As Matthew rode up Sarah was waiting.
“I got good news. Carson blew up the dam.”
“I heard. It rattled my teeth.” She smiled. “Let’s go down to the river. I made a pic-nic.” She held up the basket.
“I’ve got some good news myself.” Sarah smiled as she gently rubbed her belly.
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