He thought about getting up and pulling his Winchester from its scabbard, but then thought better of it, deciding he would likely end up flat in the dust again. Instinctively, he touched the Peacemaker holstered at his side, knowing he was in no position to win out over a formidable adversary but figuring he would go down shooting.
He kept his eyes on the trail. Thor started barking at the same instant Jack saw plumes of dust rising from the ground. Thor continued barking and started racing toward what were obviously approaching horses. He seemed to be favoring the wounded shoulder only slightly, disregarding it in his excitement. The bark was a greeting bark, not a signal of attack. Jack could guess who was coming, and he felt like the damned fool he would have to admit he was. That feeling was worse than any pain the leg was giving him.
Jordy and Sierra rode up behind his horses and dismounted. Jordy took the reins and lead rope of Sierra’s horses and stood by his buckskin stallion silently while she rushed to Jack’s side. He could see that Jack was in bad shape, but he was sitting up, and he needed to think some things out before he stepped into any conversation. Thor came over to him as if to ask Jordy why he was not looking after Jack. Jordy knelt and rubbed the dog’s ears and the back of his neck and accepted several face licks. He and the dog were almost brothers, he thought, having shared Jack for so many years.
“Grandpa Jack, what happened?” Sierra said, her voice trembling and telling Jordy she was on the brink of tears.
“Guess I must have passed out and fell off my horse.”
“Are you hurt . . . outside the leg?”
“Pride hurts a lot to have you come along and find me like this.”
She placed a hand on his forehead. “You’re burning up.”
“The sun. I’ve been stretched out here in the sun for a long time, I think. Since before sunup, I’m guessing. Don’t know how long.”
“Can you stand with some help?” she asked.
“Think so.”
Sierra turned to Jordy. “Do you suppose you might help me get Jack to his feet?”
“Yes, ma’am. I can do that.” He hitched Sierra’s horses to Buster’s saddle horn and joined her at Jack’s side.
Sierra said, “Before we get you up, I am going to have Jordy steady you, while I pull your britches down for a look at your leg.”
“No need. I can tell you it’s not a pretty sight.”
“There is a need. You will do what I say, or you can just stay here.”
Jack rendered a sound that was someplace between a grunt and a snarl. Jordy moved in behind Jack to support his back, while Sierra unbuckled Jack’s gun belt and let it drop off with the holstered pistol. She then unhitched the trousers belt and unbuttoned the britches, worming the legs down to Jack’s ankles. When Jordy saw the wounded leg, he swallowed hard. The thigh was swollen like a balloon and had become a kaleidoscope of reds, blues, purples and yellows. Pus ran from the wound site and the lower leg was bloated so much it appeared the skin might burst. It had turned nearly scarlet.
As she worked Jack’s denim trousers back up the legs, covering the sight Jordy did not need to view more of, Sierra spoke matter-of-factly. “It’s nasty, Grandpa. I brought some dressing materials and some of Jael’s poultice medicines, and I will redress and clean the wound when we find a water supply. Now, I have a question.”
“I expect you are going to ask it whatever I say.”
“You are catching on to how this is all going to work. My question is this. Are you still hanging onto the notion that you are going to Tess Wyman’s?”
“Yep. That’s where I am headed.”
Sierra said, “Jordy and I have agreed we won’t try to stop you. We will help you get there if that’s what you want.” She looked at Jordy. “Right, Jordy?”
Jordy said, “Yes. Jack, we’re done pushing and fussing about this. You are the boss man, and you’re mostly grown up. If you want to get to Tess, that’s exactly where we are headed.”
“I’d be mighty grateful for your help. I don’t think Thor and I can do this on our own, to be truthful.”
Jordy said, “I thought of something when I was talking to Thor a while ago. Listen to what I am thinking.”
“I’m not going anyplace,” Jack said.
“Jack, you’re not going to be able to sit a saddle for more than a few minutes even if we can get you on your horse, but I think you and Thor can both fit in that cart. Extra weight would probably stabilize it some. The cart might be a little short for your stretching out, but we can get you in cattywampus or prop you up some. It would be a bit snug with Thor in the box with you, but you wouldn’t be tossed about so much.”
“Doesn’t seem like I’ve got much choice. I’ve given up on preserving my dignity, and Thor’s been trying to crowd me out of my bed for a lot of years now.”
Jordy said, “I’ve got another thought. The wheel ruts on this trail don’t make for smooth riding. I noticed from your tracks, you’ve been going off the trail and riding the edges a lot of the time.”
“Your point?”
Jordy could tell that the conversation was tiring Jack. “I say we leave the trail and cut across country. I’m betting we could gain a good day. That cart should be able to make it through anything a horse can. I’ve been looking up that way
