Jonny and the Comanches

Chapter 10: The Campout

The next morning, Charles, Clem, and Clarence galloped away into the distance toward the little trail they had marked. Jonny helped wash the dishes and clean. He walked outside the front door of the log cabin house where Ma had built a fire in the early morning. There was a ring of rocks around the glowing orange flames and logs around it to sit at. Also Ma had made a triangle out of sticks to hang a chain from to hold the big broiling pot over the flames. The Benson family did have a fireplace but Ma seldom cooked with it because she grew up a cowgirl. Her father was a cowboy and was always traveling. So they never used a fireplace but a bonfire and lived in a covered wagon. Jonny loved standing near the warm flames. He warmed his hands and soaked in the heat. But in the afternoon it would get very hot and was time to take a dip in the creek. Jonny was lost in his thoughts that he did not even realize Alisha come and stand next to him. "I hope they find Ben and Karl." she said sadly. "Oh! Alisha, you startled me." "I'm sorry, you seemed to be lost in thought and I just knew what you were thinking, so I had to say it out loud." "Ha ha," Jonny chuckled, "I guess I can't hid a thing from you Alisha." She laughed. "Well I had better see if my Ma needs anything." Jonny had really grown to like her. She was always pleasant and helpful and whenever he would go on a ride far away she would always pack him a sack lunch. He liked her a lot. He could tell she felt the same. He hoped her mother would get better soon. After the attack by the comanches the first time, she had been laid up, but she was getting better. Jonny knew their two families had been through a lot, but would more come?
After a long time of riding along the lone trail Clarence said, "This is where we found the coat." "Right here?, well I do know that it is Karl's coat. But where are they?" questioned Clem. "Well let's keep riding. Keep your eye out for anything and everything." chimed Charles. They fearlessly trudged on. Grass grass and more grass being blown by weak winds and heat was very boring and energy sapping. Finally Clarence stopped. "Something isn't right here." "Yeah I know what you mean." exclaimed Clem. Without saying a word, Clarence rode over to a knoll and looked over. To his surprise there was a gorge down there with shear canyons on either side. But he was't surprised at that. Down in the bottom was a creek with willows all around it. Right beside it was the biggest Indian camp he had ever seen. "Guys, come here slowly. Charles and Clem gasped at the sight that met their eyes. "It is an indian campout." Clem said. "I wonder if Ben, Mark, and Karl are down there." said Charles "There is only one way to find out." Clem answered. "Yes and that is to wait till dark and then sneak down there and find out what they have." finished Clarence. "Good thing we brought blankets and food." said Charles. "Yeah now let's put them to use.