Chapter Five
Tom knew that Bill was in a tough situation, he paused and looked at the people around him.
"Is there something wrong?" the man asked Tom who nervously looked around for anything, but at the same time looking for particularly nothing. Tom promptly said 'no' and continued searching the farmhouse. He looked outside the window and turned about to the family beside him.
"Where is the doctor's?" he asked the man.
The farming man looked at him with some shock and repeated, "The doctor? Ummm, well, if you go to the west or left of the fork in the road several miles down that's where he is. But I wouldn't..."
"Nonesense, he's gonna die if he doesn't getta treatment from a professional doctor. No offense to you fine people, I thank you." Tom said, looking at his brother who was pale white with a bubbly face, looking like he was a toad or frog that had just been painted white and given death pills. "To the west?" he asked once more.
"Yeah," answered the farmer, "Miles, get this fine man some water and my old musket."
"That won't be necessary sir, but thanks anyway," Tom said causing Miles to stop in the hallway of the kitchen and come back to his family. "If you could just help me bring him outside so I could carry him to the doctor..."
"That won't be necessary," said the farmer. "I'll give you one of my best horses to reach town within two days," he finished and led Tom outside. He told his son and wife to stay inside with Bill, while he and Tom rushed out to the stable too look at the horses he had. The farmer pulled up to a bright black stallion, petting her on her nose and spoke, "Her name is Rose," he said, "she's my best and most trustworthy horse. She may not be the quickest, but she'll get the job done and won't fight with the owner. God speed my dear lad," finished the farmer. He began to take the horse out of her stables and Tom went back into the house and took Bill by the arms with the help of the farmer's son. Together, they hoisted Bill onto Tom's shoulder's and he began to walk outside where the farmer was leading his horse.
Tom walked out with his brother and placed him gently on the top of the horse, guiding him in so he wouldn't fall. Tom looked at the farmer, who looked at his son and wife, then looked back at Tom. "Thank you," Tom said as he mounted the horse, nodding his head in acknowledgement.
"I'll pray you have a safe journey to the town, but beware..."
"Beware of what?" Tom asked the man.
"Just make sure your pistol is loaded because the Mallott Gang runs the streets, staunch Confederate rebels who are harrassing any Union supporters. They've already killed three men in the town, they'll not stop at nothin' to get their hands on a Union soldier," the farmer said.
"I'll take it to heart," said Tom as he kicked the side of the mighty stallion and began to waltz off into the distance. He looked back at the family and said one last 'thanks' before disappearing from the sight of the family.
Back at the farmhouse, the farmer and his family walked over to him. The sun was beginning to fade from the ridge, a sunset was in perfect bloom. His son walked over and tugged on his father's trousers, "Will he make it?" he concernly asked his father. His father turned and looked down at his son.
"I don't know. He has our prayers, and the prayers of his family I must say. But that isn't good enough. He has only saints and angels looking over him," the farmer said to his son. His son looked at him and smiled, he said something to his father that made him smile as well.
Beyond the ridge, Tom looked back and saw the smoke coming from the chimney of the house. He turned back and looked straight forward and followed the small dirt road, Bill in a secure position so he wouldn't fall when riding to the town so the doctor could check him. Tom had a concern face on as he knew something was bad, he thought Bill would have consumption or the white plague. He rode off, leaving his past deeds behind him, he neither cared his brother was a Confederate, or he a Federalist, the only thing on his mind was to ensure that his brother would be fine.
Tom rode, reaching the fork that the man had mentioned some time back. He paused and looked at the tree in the middle; there was no riddle. He was unsure of what the man told him, should he go left or right. He kicked Rose forward and steered her to the right, pausing quickly and looking back to the left. He then moved the horse back to the left, shaking his head knowing he was now making the right decision. As he did, in the woods nearby a shadowy figure was looking at Tom.
The man's face couldn't be seen as he placed a cigar in his mouth and lit it with a match. His long golden hair covered his eyes, his old and crippled brown jacket over his body, his only clothes as it appeared. He looked at Tom, he then moved his free hand into his pocket and pulled out a pocket watch that was broken. He removed the cigar from his mouth, releasing the smoke into the air. He placed the watch back into his pocket and felt the butt of his pistol, he smiled and kicked his horse back beginning to follow him as he moved down the road...