Flower of My Heart
1894
Caine raced through the night like a wild stallion being pursued by cowboys. His night vision allowed him to see things that most usually ignored or couldn't see as clearly. He knew he was on the right track when he spied the wagon tracks and recognized that one of them had three pegs that stuck through the wheel. Each time that part came in contact with the ground, it left a deep impression. He had noticed it when he and Lilly had rode into town yesterday or was it now the day after. He did not know. All he knew was that he needed to keep going. Two lives were in danger.
He did not know how long or how far he had been running. He had to catch his breath, renew his chi. Caine stopped by a stream and took a deep drink. As he sat there breathing hard, a large animal came to the water's edge to also drink. It's eyes caught the reflected light of the moon and Caine could see it was a wolf. For just a moment, they stared into each other's eyes. Without a word, it was as if an understanding had been reached. The wolf knew that Caine was no threat to him. They seemed to communicate on a level far beyond any ordinary person's awareness.
*Have you seen a wagon with two people, a man and a woman?* Caine found himself asking the wolf.
*Yes, they are not far,* the wolf seemed to answer, and turned his head in the direction to let Caine know that was where he could find those he sought.
*Thank you.* Caine bowed his head to the wolf. He watched as the wolf disappeared into the night.
Confirming that he was still on the right track, Caine took a brief moment and spied some leaves from a plant that he recognized. He had not known that the plant could also be found here in this country. He pulled on the plant and its root gave way. Washing it in the stream, he then took a bite. Though the root was bitter, he knew it would quickly replenish his energy to face whatever was ahead. As soon as he finished the root, Caine was on the move again and heading in the direction the wolf had indicated.
It wasn't much longer when Caine spotted what looked like dying embers from a campfire. He crept up slowly so as not to disturb possible sleeping occupants when he recongized the wagon that stood off to one side. Then he spotted the man on the ground, but no one else. He quickly rushed in to find out what had happened. Caine turned the man over and discovered it was Matthew, Lilly's old family friend. He could see a dark stain on his clothing. Caine got up and added more wood to the fire to replenish the flames so he would have more light.
"Uhhhh," The man stirred.
Caine kneeled by the wounded man and pulled out some herbs from the pouch that he had the sense to grab on his way here.
"Do not try to move. Your wound is very bad. I must get you to a doctor."
"No time. You must stop him. He took Lilly."
"Who? Who took Lilly," Caine questioned.
"A man named Carson."
A chill went through Caine. Carson was the name of the man who had tried to take Lilly from the Saloon. He thought about what the man had said, but the look on Lilly's face had told him much more. She feared the man, even though she did not know him. What could have caused such fear?
"Do you know which direction she was taken?"
"No. All I could hear was her screaming and the next thing I knew, they rode off. Oohhh." Matthew moaned again.
"Lay still," Caine opened the man's shirt and applied the herbs to the man's wounds. It wasn't much but perhaps he could prevent the man from bleeding to death. He had lost a lot of blood.
"You've got to leave me. I'm no good to you. I'm going to die anyway."
"Not if I can help it." After applying the herbs, Caine pulled a long strip of yellow cloth from his pouch and tied the herbs in place. He placed his hand on the man's forehead and felt the fever that was developing. The herbs may help to stop the bleeding, but if he was not taken care of properly, infection could set in.
As soon as he was sure the man could be moved, Caine lifted him up and placed him in the back of the wagon among the trunks that Lilly had packed. He knew it would be nearly a days ride back to Martinsville from where he was at, but he had to take that chance. He had done it before, years ago when he was younger. It had been when he tried to help out the Youngblood gang and tried to stop the feuding between them and the railroad. It would be no different now. He would try to be as swift as he could. Traveling at night by wagon was not the best time. In the dark, you could miss landmarks and even find yourself stuck in a worn rut with a broken wheel. If Matthew was to live, Caine had no choice. He would return to this very same spot, hopefully during the day, to try to find clues to learn which direction Lilly and Carson had disappeared.
End of Part 9
Alisa Joaquin Copyright@2000.
This story cannot be reprinted or sold in any other form without strict permission from
the author. It is being distributed here solely for your enjoyment.
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