Seth pulled his pistol and held it in sight just inside the window. He said, “Who are you people. What are you doing here?”
The man didn’t even move. The two women jumped and looked toward him. The old woman showed defeat and bone deep exhaustion. The younger woman jerked her head toward Seth and clenched her jaw. Her face showed sorrow, fear and resignation. She said, “Can’t you just leave us alone? Haven’t you done enough to us? Please, just go. We are leaving and won’t tell what we know. Who would believe us anyway?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I do know you’re trespassing on my land so I have a right to know who you are and what you’re doing here. Do you need a doctor? That man looks like he should be in a hospital not laying here in an old fallen down building.”
“NO! No hospitals. We have no money and can’t afford doctors. We’re just trying to get back to the reservation. Maybe our people will take us in. Can’t you please just leave us alone?”
Seth moved farther inside the hut and gently pushed the young woman aside. He reached out and took the bandage off the old man. His leg was badly lacerated and filthy. While he was looking at the wound he heard the young woman’s stomach growl. He made his decision and stood rapidly. When he did that both women jumped back and looked scared.
Seth said, “That is a nasty looking wound. Let’s take him up to my house. We’ll clean it and try to doctor it some.”
The two women looked at each other and spoke in a language Seth didn’t understand. Finally the young one said, “We don’t have much choice do we? You’re the one with the gun.”
Seth looked surprised and realized he was still holding his pistol. He sheepishly put it back in his holster then leaned down and picked the old man up. He was skin and bone. He would be surprised if he weighed 100 pounds. Seth moved out of the old fallen down building and walked toward his quarters. The two women followed.
When Seth got to the old office he placed the man on his table and turned on the light overhead. Seth moved to his stove and started a fire then placed a pot of water on it to warm. While the water was warming, then boiling he removed the dirty bandages and washed the wound with soap and water. He washed a lot of dirt and gravel from the wound. He broke several scabs loose and pus ran from the wound.
The young woman was trying to help him as he worked. Every so often he heard her stomach growl again. She would stare at his shelves of food. Finally Seth had done all he could until the water got hot. He turned to the two women and said, “OK. I can tell you’re hungry. So am I. How about I make us some supper while we wait on the water to boil?”
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