That afternoon they installed the four 6X6s under the 2500 pound camper and lowered it onto them. Ground anchors and straps stabilized the camper against wind or enthusiastic sex upsetting it. JR grinned and blushed every time Sam mentioned it; so he worked it into the conversation often as they worked.
Four hours of sunlight remained when they hauled tools, materials, and minimal supplies to the cabin. Items that could be damaged by weather were protected in black plastic garbage bags and stored in a dry corner inside the cabin.
Early the next morning, they started cleaning, roof repairs, plugging rodent holes, and other miscellaneous small tasks. A bed sat in the corner where the roof leaked, and the mattress was ruined by the water damage. Sam drug it outside and hauled it to the deep gully where the zombie was interred. Two homemade looking tall cabinets with shelves stood against the west wall. Several threadbare changes of outerwear plus socks and underwear were stored in one cabinet above a pair each of boots and much worn house slippers. The other cabinet held cast iron pots, pans, skillets, a Dutch oven, several plates and dishes, and miscellaneous flatware. At the bottom several large tin pans sat. They were larger than standard pie pans and shaped with shallow sloping sides. Sam guessed they were for panning gold in a stream. They saved everything in that cabinet and disposed of the other and its contents.
During the second day of cleaning, JR was using a long handled scrub brush with soapy water to scrub dirt and smoke residue from the stone fireplace. The other walls and floorboards had been cleaned of dirt and smoke residue accumulated over the years because of the habits of the old bachelor who lived there. The fireplace was built of native rock cemented together and had an open firebox area three feet wide by four feet high. Sam was relieved to discover an adjustable cast iron damper built into the flue section.
As she scrubbed vigorously on the left side near the log wall, she saw a stone move slightly. She would tell Sam it needed resealing. Looking closely, she noticed the approximately eight inch by eight inch stone wasn’t set in concrete. It had been shaped to fit the opening tightly. It extended slightly past the stones on either side, so she was able to grip it with her fingertips and jiggle it loose to remove it. A flashlight lit the interior and revealed a large, open space. Several leather pouches with rawhide drawstrings at the top were visible. A stack laid flat in the back of the opening and seven stood upright and heavy near the front. Upon opening one, she stared and then yelled for Sam to come look. Gold nuggets and granules shimmered when Sam poured some into his palm. He poured the gold back into the sack, then grabbed JR and danced wildly around the room. After finishing their jubilation, they guessed there must be ten to twelve pounds of gold in the cache. Sam guessed the value at recent prezombie prices could be around a quarter of a million dollars. After cleaning the exterior around and above the opening, the stone was refitted in the hole.
They continued cleaning and repairing the cabin for three days before moving anything from the truck, camper, or enclosed trailer. Near dark every night Sam began Smokey’s obedience training over short periods using the choke chain.
Wanting a change of pace, Sam said, “Today I want to drive around the area and visit local ranches and farms. Hopefully most of the domestic animals were released before people left the area. But if the owners were attacked and turned before they could leave, animals could still be penned and need to be released. If they can survive the winters in the wild and become free ranging animals, they’ll be a source of future food for us. From what I’ve previously read online, all the domestic species should fare well here. The real danger is they tend to overpopulate and encourage the overbreeding of predators, like wolves, mountain lions, and wolverines. Cows are large and slow and are the first of the free range domestics to be cut back to a manageable size by predators. Pigs will also adapt readily as do chickens and ducks.”
JR laughed. “Thank you, Mr. Radio Announcer for the local farm report.” She shook her head amazed at the varied amount of miscellaneous information he retained.
Carcasses of horses and cattle still in barn stalls were found at the first farmstead they visited. They were disgusted by the sight and left without scavenging the other buildings.
At the second farm they visited, livestock was still penned beside a small barn. Three horses, nine cows, and two young bulls hugged the fences when they approached. All were scrawny and clearly hadn’t been fed or watered for at least several weeks or more. Hay racks, feed troughs, and a long stock water tank were empty. Feed and water were nearby but well away from the famished animals. Sam and JR pumped water by hand and threw hay bales into the pens, then opened the gates and secured them open. They found the same conditions at the pig pens. Sam spotted an elevated diesel tank and checked it for water before topping off the truck’s tank. He approached JR. “We’ll have to remember these fuel tanks are available and a backup supply when the tank at Charlie’s place is emptied, which will be soon; we’re not the only ones using from it. Most of the farms and ranches had diesel equipment, so diesel tanks should be plentiful. To that end, when we’re in Kalispell, I’ll pick up several cases of fuel additive to use as the fuel ages.”
“Is water in the fuel when it’s delivered? Why does it always
