DISCLAIMER:
The story and characters of Christy are the property
of the LeSourd family. This work of fan fiction is for
personal amusement only, and no infringement of their
rights is intended. The writers seek no profit or
credit from this story.  Any additions of story line
and characters were invented by the writers.

Title: Travelers and Travails
Authors:
By: Susie, Regina, Miranda, Lisa Renee, Lisa3, 
Kelly O, Greer, Cynthia, Charlotte, Annie
== == == == == == == == == == == 

Neil MacNeill felt the weariness of the past few days
in all his bones and muscles. When he occasionally
lifted his eyes to the budding trees around him, and
breathed in the scents of springtime, he felt a little
refreshed, but as his horse wound through the woods,
he only wanted to be home.

What had started out as a routine visit to Raven Gap
had ended in the kind of mad scramble to patch
bleeding bodies that Neil dreaded. His early calls had
included a young mother with her colicky baby, a
farmer whose arm had been broken when he was kicked by
his mule, and a boy with mouth sores so severe he'd
been unable to eat. Rheumatism, dysentery, poison ivy,
warts, fever, dislocations and burns were all maladies
he was prepared to treat. But late on his third night
there, the doctor had been wakened to tend to two
young men who'd shot each other as they argued over a
hunting dog. One of them, recently married, had lost
three fingers from his right hand. The other was shot
in the hip, and was probably crippled for life.
Neither was yet eighteen. The second boy had lost so
much blood, Neil felt lucky to have saved his life
after three hours of surgery and nearly twenty-four
hours of constant attendance.

Neil was disgusted with this kind of emergency, and
not because it had cost him two nights of sleep. When
called upon to treat diseases or accidents, he
believed he could prepare himself and fight back with
the best medicines available. But when injury was
caused by hatred, the frustration and anger he felt
made his other successes seem hollow. Neil knew how
important a mountain man's pride was, but he couldn't
forgive the blind conceit that led to feuding. 

Now as his horse came over a low hill, Neil recognized
a pair of blossoming dogwood trees, and realized that
he'd entered the Cove. His eyes brightened. Although
he was still well over an hour from his house, he
inhaled the warm spring air in relief, feeling that
he'd reached home ground. He hardly needed to direct
his horse now - Charlie could find his own way home.

He knew Bob Allen's land was somewhere off to his
right. Ten minutes would bring him past the cabin and
gristmill. But he continued toward his own home,
noting familiar trees, now budding in the beautiful
bright green of springtime, streams that were swelling
from recent rains, and even boulders. Did Christy know
Cutter Gap this well yet? She'd been back and forth
from the mission property to most of the homes, but
how well would she know her way around the farthest
edges of the Cove? She loved these mountains -- had
she ever seen them from this viewpoint?

Neil was riding along a ridge when he caught a
movement out of the side of his eye. His head turned
quickly, and he recognized Alice Henderson moving
slowly beside a creek on a path that would intercept
his own. She hadn't noticed him yet. She seemed intent
on something she held against the horse's neck --
finally he saw that she was reading. He descended to
the stream and patiently waited for her to arrive,
allowing Charlie to drink. She looked up shortly
before reaching him, and closed the small book.

"Good afternoon, Doctor MacNeill," she greeted him as
she reigned in her horse.

"Alice."  He nodded.

"Meeting all the way out here, and judging from the
condition of your clothes," she said with an amused
smile, "I'd say thee has been in Raven Gap for several
days." 

Neil looked down curiously at his wrinkled coat and
shirt and his mud-speckled boots. They seemed all
right to him. He raised his head. "Yes, I heard you
were in Cataleechie." He looked at his clothes again,
and straightened his coat a little self-consciously.
"How was your visit?"

"The school is doing well enough, considering they are
without a full-time teacher such as Miss Huddleston.
Of course, there are fewer families, and you know how
widely scattered they are. Some children leave their
homes for weeks at a time to attend classes when I
come." She'd been turning the small book over in her
hands, and now tucked it into her pocket. "I fear I
have not been able to provide them with much of an
education.

Neil frowned slightly.  "You know that's not true.
Those children would have no teacher at all but for
you. Don't you remember I go to Cataleechie, too?" He
began to turn toward home again, but he paused as he
looked more carefully at Alice.

"You don't look well, Alice. You're too pale. What's
wrong?"

Alice responded with a wry, tight smile. "I would have
been surprised if thee had not noticed. It's nothing
serious." She nudged her horse along, and Neil
followed, waiting expectantly for the rest of her
answer. "Unfortunately, something I ate disagreed with
me - quite violently." 

The doctor's horse had come alongside Alice's. "Food
poisoning?" he asked, scanning her closely. She nodded
in reply. "Did you have nausea? Diarrhea? Cramps?
Dehydration?" He peppered her with questions. "You
shouldn't be traveling. How long did the symptoms
last? Do you know what caused it?"

"Yes to all the symptoms," she answered with patience,
"but none was severe. I became ill five days ago, and
felt recovered enough yesterday to travel. I waited
one more day to be sure, as you see." Alice turned
toward him, her face expressionless. "I believe it was
an improperly cooked possum that made me ill."

"Possum!" Neil nearly laughed out loud, but stopped
himself as he saw Alice's serious look. He couldn't
resist a grin. "Well, Ruby Mae can at least say that
she's not poisoned anyone yet with her possum
recipes."

Alice finally smiled a little. "That is something to
be thankful for, although I do not intend to mention
this incident to her." She turned once more to the
trail before them.

"Fine," the doctor agreed, "but I'm coming back with
you to see that the mission's medicine cabinet has
what you need to settle your digestive tract." He
spoke decisively. "I'll talk to Christy or Fairlight
about a special diet and rest for you over the next
few days."

"Thank you, Neil, but that won't be necessary," she
said. He didn't answer, but Alice saw from his stern
glance that she had no choice in the matter. "Very
well, then." She shrugged, and they rode in silence
for a while.

"I've been away nearly a month, Neil."  She finally
broke the silence. "What is the news here at home?"

Neil leaned on the pommel of his saddle. "Ault's son,
Rafe, is going to marry Addy Martin from Lufty Branch.
Do you know her?"

"I believe I know her parents - Jaster and Daisy?" The
doctor nodded. "The Martins keep very much to
themselves," Alice said, "but I've visited them now
and then. They are good hardworking people." 

"Yes," Neil agreed. He thought a moment, and added,
"The school's closed for spring plowing and planting.
I think the mission folk are hoping it'll be open
again soon." Alice's eyebrows arched in a silent
question. "I stopped there on my way out to Raven Gap,
to drop off some things for the medicine cabinet." He
rubbed his neck and grimaced as he continued. "David
was grooming his horse, and he warned me to stay clear
of the house. The women were in the middle of a huge
argument - we could hear them from the barnyard."

Alice's eyes were round with surprise. "Indeed. And
what was the argument about?"

The doctor shrugged. "I took the Reverend's advice and
left my supplies with him. I felt sorry for the man.
He said Christy, Fairlight, and Ruby Mae had been
going at each other since the school holiday started.
I hope you're not walking into a hornet's nest,
Alice."

"Indeed," she repeated. "This should be most
interesting. And challenging." They exchanged a glance
as their horses walked steadily along. Alice's eye was
attracted to a gleam at Neil's waist. His coat had
shifted to reveal a hunting knife in a leather sheath.

Neil followed her glance, and reached to his belt to
draw out the knife. He smiled a little sheepishly. The
handle was dark wood, inlaid with mother-of-pearl,
which glinted in the sunlight as brightly as the thin
blade. "I received this as payment from Andy Robb
after I stitched up his son, Zack." His face darkened.
 "The fool boy got into a shooting fight over a
hunting dog. He lost three fingers, and very nearly
killed the other fellow."

Alice's eyes were fastened on the polished metal as
Neil rotated it in his hand. "I'm sorry to hear about
the boys, but that knife is an unusual payment,
Doctor." She chuckled. "I cannot imagine thee lancing
a boil with such an instrument!"

"It's extremely sharp, actually," he said, "although
this handle wouldn't look quite so impressive after I
sterilize it in boiling water a few times. You're
right, though - it is unusual. It doesn't seem
appropriate for slicing bread or cleaning fish." Neil
smiled as he carefully replaced it in the leather
holder. "I'm sure it will come in handy."

The two weary travelers were relieved when the bell
tower of the church house came into view.
Unfortunately, the peace of the scene was broken as
soon as they neared the house. They heard female
voices raised in anger, and saw Ruby Mae storm out the
door and down into the yard.

"Why's it ME that has ta 'pologize!" the girl shouted
over her shoulder as she stalked toward the corral.
"Why's it ALWAYS my fault? It's more'n a body kin
bear, to be wrong every single day of yer life!"

The door flew open once more to reveal Fairlight, with
her hands on her hips. "Ruby Mae Morrison, you git
yerself back in this house!" She immediately noticed
the two riders, and her mouth opened in surprise.
Before she could move or say anything, a very agitated
Christy appeared behind her, holding two pieces of a
broken plate in her hands.

== == == == == 

Chapter 2


"Great grandmother's china plate," Christy murmured, a
mixture of despair and frustration boiling just under
the surface. 

Fairlight looked at the young teacher, who held two
halves of a broken plate in her hands. "Oh no. It
ain't."

"Yes, I'm afraid it is. Mother gave it to me just
before I came here. She wanted me to have something
nice that would remind me of home." Christy sighed
heavily. 

"What in tarnation happened?" Fairlight asked.  

"It was in my trunk and Ruby Mae must have been
looking in there for something, without asking first,"
she said, her voice emphasizing the last word. "I
don't know how many times I have told her that if she
wants to borrow something all she has to do is ask.
I'd be more than happy to share if she'd just ask."
Her voice was soft, almost a whisper as if she was
talking to herself, but the pain and disappointment in
her voice was clear. 

Ruby Mae had stormed into the yard. Standing defiantly
with her hands on her hips, she glared at the two
women on the porch. As angry as she was, she was just
as hurt.

Miss Alice dismounted and walked over to the young
girl. Placing her hand on the redhead's shoulder, she
asked, "Ruby Mae, is something troubling thee?"

Turning to face Miss Alice, she had a stream of tears
running down both cheeks and her hands were tightly
balled into a fist. "Miz Alice, why's it ALWAYS my
fault? It's more'n a body kin bear, t' be wrong every
single day of yer life!" she said, repeating her
earlier comments. Now, however, the anger was gone out
of her voice and she seemed genuinely confused and
hurt.

Miss Alice started to respond but instead wrapped her
arms around Ruby Mae and gave her a comforting hug. 

****

Neil was still atop his horse, and the situation
unfolding around him was an utter mystery. Christy and
Fairlight stood huddled on the mission porch, and Miss
Alice held a sobbing Ruby Mae in her arms. David was
busily repairing the garden fence, staring intently as
if he were conducting major surgery instead of a minor
repair.

Neil drew his horse alongside the fence and motioned
toward the mission and yard. "What on earth is that
all about?" 

"The same thing as before you left." David stopped to
wipe his brow with his forearm. "I've never seen a
bunch of women get so worked up about a book before in
my life."

"A book?" 

"Yes," David replied in disgust. "Christy thought that
they would enjoy reading aloud 'Sense and Sensibility'
by Jane Austen now that the spring planting holiday is
here. She said that she never got a chance to read it
before, something about parties and teas and dress
fittings." David rolled his eyes. 

"Sounds like a wonderful idea to me," Neil said. 

"Sure, until they started arguing about the plot." 

Neil chuckled. "So that is what this feuding is all
about?"

"You don't know the half of it."  Pausing, David
straightened his back and looked at the three sullen
women. Leaning closer to the doctor he said, "They
disagree mostly on the characters."

Neil furrowed his brow in confusion and looked over
his shoulder at the women. "I don't quite understand,
Grantland. You're saying that all of this is over the
characters in a book? My Lord, man, we men don't fight
with such passion."

"I know. I thought the same thing myself the first
afternoon, but they are taking this quite seriously."

Leaning even closer, David's voice took on a falsetto
tone as he attempted an imitation of Christy's voice.
"Colonel Brandon is so gentle and kind. Marianne is
wrong if she thinks that he's too old and gloomy. He
obviously loves her. He's always stopping by to check
on Marianne, but he's too much of a gentleman to force
his affections on her." 

Neil stifled a laugh, knowing that it would only bring
attention to them and make matters worse. 

"Oh, no Miz Christy," David this time imitated Ruby
Mae. "Willoughby is so romantic. He's just like that
Romeo feller you was tellin' us about. He's
good-lookin' and charmin'. I bet he's the kind who'd
write poetry for a gal an' everythin'!" 

"But it isn't like Christy to get upset just because
someone doesn't agree with her," Neil said, realizing
the foolishness of those words the minute they left
his lips. 

Thankfully, David didn't seem to notice. "The problem
started when Ruby Mae got upset because Fairlight
agreed with Christy." Shrugging his shoulders, David
continued, "Who knows what's gotten into that girl!"

Neil nodded. "Thanks for filling me in, Grantland." He
turned and started down the path toward his cabin.
Pausing, he asked casually, "How do you feel? About
the characters I mean."

David leaned heavily against the fence. "I'm not sure.
I've only heard what they read aloud, but it seems
that Willoughby is the logical choice for Marianne.
He's a charming, refined gentleman and destined to
inherit a sizeable estate. He seems like the perfect
choice for a lovely, vivacious girl like her."

Neil rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I see." He lightly
tapped his heels into his horse's flank and headed
down the path.

He had only ridden several yards when David called,
"So, what do you think Doc? Have you read the book?"

"Indeed, I have. Personally, I think Willoughby is a
selfish cad. Remember Reverend Grantland, the obvious
choice doesn't always mean it's the right one." With
that, he rode off, waving at Christy and Fairlight on
the porch.

****

On the other side of the yard, Ruby Mae's sobbing had
stopped and she was beginning to wipe the tears from
her face. "Come, child," Miss Alice said, "let's walk.
Thee can tell me what is troubling thee."

The two crossed the small footbridge and started
toward the schoolhouse. "Well, ya see Miz Alice, it
all started with this here book Miz Christy was
readin' to us. It's a right pretty story an' all." She
started to blush, her freckled cheeks becoming red.
"It got me ta thinkin' `bout Rob Allen. I've been
sweet on him for a while now..."

"Really?" 

"Yes'm.  This Willoughby feller, in the book, well he
reminds me of Rob Allen. He's smart an' handsome an'
he treats Marianne like a real lady, not like some
little girl." Tears started to flow again down her
cheeks, but she quickly brushed them away. 

"It jus' made me so mad when Miz Christy and Miz
Spencer said that he was no good, that he was jus'
pretendin' to like Marianne. Well, it made me mad, it
did, 'cause I started thinkin' that maybe I'll end up
like Marianne's older sister, Elinor. She's an ole
maid in the book an' now that Rob Allen's done gone
an' started hanging 'round Lizette Holcombe, he don't
pay me no mind a'tall!" The last words rushed out,
amid tears and uncontrolled sobs.

Alice again hugged her tightly until she stopped
crying. Taking out a handkerchief, she wiped away the
young girl's tears. "Of course I understand why thee
is upset, but what happened earlier with Miss
Huddleston and Mrs. Spencer?"

"Well, I wanted ta borrow some o' Miz Christy's
clothes." She smiled. "They're so purty an' I thought
that Rob Allen might notice me then." 

"Indeed. But did thee ask Miss Huddleston first?"

"No, ma'am." The young girl bowed her head in
embarrassment.

Alice looked at her sternly. "Ruby Mae, thee knows
that it is not right to take other people's things
without permission."

"Yes'm. I know. But I didn't mean to hurt nothin'.
Honest. It was a plain ole accident that Miz Christy's
china plate got broke."

Alice shook her head solemnly and glanced back at
Christy, still standing on the porch with Fairlight.


== == == == == == == == == == == 
Chapter 3

"Did thee think of apologizing to Miss Huddleston?"
Miss Alice asked pointedly.

"Shorely not! A gal kin only 'pologize when she knows
what she's 'pologizin' fer!" Ruby Mae paused and
reached to wipe away a stray tear. "I ain't done
nuthin' wrong. Miz Christy jest don't understand."

"Thee is entitled to thy own opinion." Miss Alice
said.  She stooped to seize a fallen leaf from the
ground.

"But-"

Miss Alice pulled herself to her full height, looking
straight into the teenager's teary eyes. "If thee is
entitled to thy opinion, why is thy teacher not
entitled to hers?"

Eyes wide in hurt and anger, Ruby Mae fled across the
yard and disappeared in the thick brush of the woods.

****

Birds fluttered in the trees as Neil rode the familiar
path homeward. He hummed his Aunt Hattie's song about
the wild mountain laurel and was thankful for the
refreshingly cool air of the mountains. All seemed
peaceful in the cove here, away from all the feuding
and needless bloodshed. 

Neil could hear the river now. The river meant home,
and home meant his warm, welcoming bed. 

The doctor stifled a yawn. Suddenly, from the corner
of his eye Neil saw a figure dart between two trees.
He didn't stop but pulled the reins of his horse a
little. 

He saw it again! A figure darted to another tree, much
nearer this time. Neil couldn't tell what it was - or
who it was, but he was sure of one thing. It was
following him.

Carefully withdrawing the handsome knife from his
belt, he reined in his horse. In a loud voice he
called, "Who's there? I'm a doctor!" 

When no one answered, he called out again, "I'm not
going to hurt you. Just come out."

This time, a shadow appeared before him, and a careful
voice said softly, "Sir, I'd just like to know where I
am." 

The voice wasn't familiar, but he put away the knife.
The shadowy figure moved a little nearer. Neil watched
closely as he moved forward.

Suddenly, the clouds and treetops parted and the sun
shone down straight on the tan, hungry face of a young
boy. Brown hair the color of hickory nuts fell in a
short thin mass over the boy's head. It obviously
hadn't been combed in days, and, Neil thought to
himself, the boy didn't appear to have bathed in a
much longer time than that. 

The boy wasn't nearly his height, but his lanky frame
reminded Neil of John Spencer or Rob Allen.

"May I ask your name?" A weary smile was as much as
Neil could manage, but the boy seemed not to notice.

"Please, sir. I just want to know where I am." 

Neil ran his hand through his hair while tightly
grasping his horse's reins with his free hand.  The
fatigued horse gave a whinny and pawed the ground.

Trained eyes looked over the boy. Cautiously, he said,
"You need to eat, lad. And take a strong bath. But
first you have to tell me your name."

The dark eyes of the boy revealed nothing, but he hung
his head. "My name is Frederick.  Johnson. I don't
want to take anything from you sir, I just want to
know where I am..." His meek voice trailed off. 

"You're in Cutter Gap. The nearest town is about seven
miles from here. Come with me. We can talk when we get
back home."

Neil dismounted and the boy followed him.  The two
walked in silence until they came to Neil's cabin.

The boy had been hungrier than Neil had thought; he
devoured everything Neil set before him. Tired as he
was, Neil knew where he had to take the boy.

****

Bang!  Bang!  Someone was pounding on the door. 
Darkness was closing in on Cutter Gap when Christy
reached the front door of the mission house.

In front of her stood Dr. MacNeill and a boy she
didn't recognize.  Neil seemed exhausted; he could
barely hold his head up. "Miss Huddleston, this is
Frederick Johnson. Do you mind if we come in?"

"Of course, Doctor." Christy noticed her friend's
haggard appearance and the boy's hung head and
straight face. When he lifted his head at the mention
of his name, Christy saw no flicker of emotion in his
dark eyes. Though the doctor's enigmatic gaze had
often baffled her, the sad eyes of this young man
touched her heart.

The two followed her into the small parlor, where she
offered each of them a seat before taking a Victorian
highback chair for herself.

"Hello, Frederick. I'm Christy Huddleston." She smiled
at him kindly. 

"Nice to meet you, ma'am." The boy nodded his head.

"How old are you, Fredrick?" Christy noticed the
doctor nodding off to sleep and offered him a room
upstairs. After slight hesitation he declined, adding
that he was fine where he was. Christy couldn't help
but wonder if the doctor was afraid to leave her alone
with the strange boy.

"Sixteen."

"Where are you from?"

"Knoxville."

"How did you get here?"

"I walked..." 

Christy wanted to ask why he would walk from Knoxville
to Cutter Gap, but tried to think of a better way to
phrase her question.

"I ran away." The boy looked up, startling Christy
from her thoughts.

"Why?"

"My daddy was a drunk. Beat my mama. I couldn't stand
to see her defending him no more, so I took off to
find Asheville. Gonna get me a job for myself."

"You can't walk to Asheville! That's a good train
ride's distance from here. It's much too far to walk,
especially for a young boy!"

"Miss..." The boy's voice trailed off as a loud snore
came from across the room. Christy and Fredrick in
unison turned toward the sleeping doctor. As the
initial shock wore off, they turned back to each other
and began to laugh together.

"Well!" Christy said. "Someone was sure tired!"

The boy's quiet demeanor had vanished. The cuckoo
clock suddenly exploded with noise.  CUCKOO! Nine more
times it sounded.

"Ten o'clock! My goodness! It got late so fast!"
Christy cried. Then remembering her guests, she added,
"We had better be finding you two a place to sleep." 

== == == == == == == == == == ==


Chapter 4

"Good morning, Christy."  Neil's voice rang out as
Christy descended the stairs into the parlor.  He sat
on the couch, a cup of steaming coffee in his left
hand.  Beside him was a neatly folded blanket topped
with a pillow.  Christy stifled a yawn.  "Sleep well,
did you?" he asked with a smile. 

"Maybe I should have taken the couch." Christy plopped
into the overstuffed chair across from him.  "I spent
the night in Ruby Mae's room.  After I told her about
Frederick, I didn't think she'd ever go to sleep--"

"Ruby Mae's room?"  Neil was plainly puzzled.

"I let Frederick sleep in my room." The look on Dr.
MacNeill's face made her feel the need to explain
further.  "It was only for one night.  He obviously
needed the rest, you said so yourself."

"I said-- oh, never mind.  What do you plan to do when
he awakens?"

"Fix him a good breakfast and a hot bath."  

Neil leaned forward and took a sip of coffee.  His
eyes met hers over the rim of the cup. "And then?"

Christy took a deep breath.  She had thought about
this very issue all night and knew what had to be
done.  However, she'd been unable to discuss her idea
with either David or Miss Alice, both of whom had been
asleep when Fredrick arrived.  "I want him to stay
here at the mission.  For a while at least," she added
hastily.

"Just like that?"  

It was Christy's turn to look curious.  "What do you
mean?"

Dr. MacNeill set his cup on the table, stood and
crossed to the mantle.  Christy's eyes followed him. 
"What do you really know about this boy?" 

There was a time when Christy would have withered
under his challenge.  But a year in Cutter Gap had
imbued her with confidence.  "I know he's hungry,
tired, desperate.  He's a long way from home, he has
no family to turn to--"

"In other words, you know what he's told you."

"Well, yes." Then somewhat defiantly she asked, "Why
shouldn't I believe him, Doctor?"  Christy knew Neil
would sense her testiness in her use of his title.  

"I didn't say you shouldn't believe him--"

She would not back down.  "Doctor, this mission was
established to help people and this boy clearly needs
our help.  If you didn't agree, why did you bring him
here in the first place?"

Neil seemed momentarily taken aback, and Christy
wondered if she'd finally gotten the best of him in an
argument.  But he recovered quickly.  "How do you
intend to help this boy you hardly even know?" 

"What boy?"  David had silently entered the parlor
through the kitchen.  He looked from Christy to Neil,
obviously surprised to see Dr. MacNeill at such an
early hour.

"I was trying to explain to Miss Huddleston the need
to exercise caution when accepting the word of a
stranger."  The doctor picked up his coffee cup and
stalked toward the kitchen as Christy briefly outlined
the events of the previous evening to David.

"So you see, David, Frederick has nowhere to go.  We
can't let him walk all the way to Asheville -- it's
over a hundred miles across these mountains.  He'll
never make it.  He needs to stay here until he can get
some rest and decent food and decide what he wants to
do."  

"Doctor." David confronted Neil as he returned to the
parlor holding a steaming cup.  "Is there some reason
you think we should fear this boy?  He's not ill, is
he?"

"He doesn't appear to be, though I only looked him
over quickly last night.  I'll examine him more
thoroughly when he awakens."

"Then I don't see the problem." 

"What makes you think he wants your help?" Neil asked.
 "He made it quite clear last night that he wants to
be on his way."

"He's sixteen, Doctor," David replied with a touch of
anger.  "How can he know what he wants?"

"Oh, Reverend." Neil's voice dripped with sarcasm and
frustration.  "Surely I need not remind you that most
mountain children that age have children of their
own."

"I think what David is trying to say, Doctor," Christy
said, "is that this boy is lost, literally and
spiritually.  Hope and opportunity are what this
mission provides.  We can't force Frederick to accept
our help, but we can certainly offer---"

"Miz Christy!  Miz Christy!"  Ruby Mae flew down the
steps, her robe fluttering in her self-made breeze and
her red hair tumbling from its pins. 

"Ruby Mae, keep your voice down," David said.  "You'll
wake our guest."

"But he's already awake.  I saw him!"  Ruby Mae's eyes
opened wide, her gaze fixated on the top of the
staircase. 

"I'd best go up and have a look at him."  Neil reached
for his saddlebags.

Ruby Mae turned to Christy.  "Ya didn't tell me he was
so - so--oh, Miz Christy, I ain't never seen no boy
look like that."

Neil only shook his head and headed upstairs. 

"Don't you have chores to do?" David asked. 

"Oh, I kin do 'em later.  I wanna stay right here 'n
wait for--"

"Ruby Mae," David said sternly.

"Yessir."  Shoulders drooping, she headed for the
front door.  

"Ruby Mae?" Christy's voice held a hint of amusement. 
"Don't you want to change out of your bedclothes?"  

Ruby Mae looked down at her attire in despair. 
"Lordy, Miz Christy, yer right."  She threw her arms
across her chest.  "Reckon I would've died if he'd
seen me like this.  I don't know what I would've done
fer sure.  A lady cain't be runnin' about--"

Christy was now laughing aloud and even David fought
unsuccessfully to repress a smile as Ruby Mae
chattered her way up the steps to her bedroom. 
Trailed by David, Christy headed for the kitchen,
where she collected pots and dishes for the morning
meal.  "If Frederick does stay, we'll have to do
something about the sleeping arrangements.  I know I
can't stand another night with Ruby Mae." 

"I suppose he could bunk with me for a few days. But
you're right, we'll have to find a more permanent
solution."

****

A short time later, the aroma of bread, eggs and
sausage filled the main level of the mission house. 
Ruby Mae had dressed in record time and sprinted down
the steps to hear more about the new houseguest. 
However, she was banished outdoors to feed the
livestock and had already used almost every possible
excuse to return to the kitchen.  

"Ruby Mae, if you don't finish your chores, you won't
be able to join all of us for breakfast," Christy
said, clearly emphasizing the word "all."  

The girl's glum expression suddenly brightened.  "Oh,
yes, Miz Christy.  I'll git right to it.  Don't be
startin' without me."  She fled the house, talking as
she went.  "I'll be done real quick.  Only got the
chickens--"

Christy stirred the crackling sausage in one fry pan
and cornmeal in another while David set the table. 
"Maybe I can convince Frederick to come to school with
me today," she called over her shoulder.  "It might be
good for him to meet the other children."

"I have the feeling that Ruby Mae will insist on it,"
David said with a knowing smile.  "I still can't
believe the boy walked all the way from Knoxville--" 
He paused at the sound of footfalls and voices.  

Frederick entered the kitchen followed closely by Dr.
MacNeill.  The boy's eyes lit up on seeing Christy. 
"Good mornin', Miz Christy.  I want ta thank ya fer
lettin' me sleep in yer room last night--"  At the
sight of the minister, the boys eyes narrowed and his
voice trailed off.

Christy gave him a warm smile.  "Frederick, this is
David Grantland, the preacher here at the mission."

Frederick rubbed his hand along his pant leg before
offering it to David.  "Pleased ta meet ya.  I thank
ya fer lettin' me stay the night."  He looked around
apprehensively.  "But I bes be on my way."

"Frederick, you must stay for breakfast," Christy
insisted.  "It's almost ready."

"Oh no ma'am, I couldn't impose.  I'm already beholden
to ya."

"It's no trouble at all.  I'm sure you could use a hot
meal."

"I think that's an excellent idea," David added. 
"Don't you agree, Doctor?"

"I do indeed.  Why don't you go wash up."

The boy seemed to realize the decision had been made
for him.  "All right, I reckon I kin stay fer a spell.
 But then I gotta be on my way." 

Out of the corner of her eye, Christy noticed Ruby Mae
hovering outside.  "Ruby Mae," she called loudly.  As
if on cue, the girl ran into the kitchen, freezing in
her tracks at the sight of the lanky boy.  "Ruby Mae,
this is Frederick Johnson.  He'll be joining us for
breakfast.  Would you show him where he can wash his
hands."

Ruby Mae stood speechless, beaming at the stranger. 

"How'd ya do," Frederick said as she continued to
stare.

"Ruby Mae," David prodded.

The sound of his voice appeared to penetrate her daze.
 "Oh, how d'ya do?  I mean, jes fine.  I mean, I'se
pleased to meet you.  Uh, lemme show ya where ta wash
up.  It's jes outside."  She enthusiastically grabbed
for the boy's arm and led him out the door.  With a
slightly pained glance at the adults, he allowed
himself to be half-dragged from the room.

"So, Doctor, how is he?" David asked when Frederick
had gone.

Neil tossed his saddlebags onto the nearest chair and
leaned against the wall.  "Malnourished and a bit
anemic as well."  The doctor seemed preoccupied with
his thoughts.  "Nothing too serious." 

"Well, that's a relief," David said.

Neil appeared not to hear him as he slowly rubbed his
chin, a troubled expression on his face.

Christy noticed the doctor's hesitation.  "Is there
something else?" 

For a moment, Neil looked between them, as if trying
to reach a decision.  When he responded, his voice was
solemn.  "The boy's mother may not be the only one who
took a beating."

No one spoke.  Finally, David broke the silence.  "Did
you ask him about it?  What did he say?"

"He denies it."

"And you don't believe him?"

"Scars and bruises don't lie."

"All the more reason to keep him here," Christy said
quietly.  

"We need to discuss this with Alice," David said.
"Where is she, by the way?"

"I don't know," Christy answered. "She's usually up
long before the rest of us.  Maybe she went out."

"I didn't hear anyone this morning," Neil said.  "But
I know she wasn't feeling well yesterday."

"Well, if you men think you can handle the food for a
minute, I'll check on her."

"So, have you changed your mind about Frederick?"
David asked when she had departed.

"If you're asking whether I believe his story -- well,
I can't deny something has happened to the boy.  But I
still think you're begging for trouble if you allow--"

"Neil!  David!"  Christy's voice sounded through the
mission.  "Come quick!"

== == == == == == == == == == ==

Chapter 5

"Neil!" Christy met the men on the stairs, panic
making her voice wobble as her worried blue eyes met
the doctor's. "It's Miss Alice. She's vomiting over
the balcony railing and looks as white as a ghost!" 

The three charged into the bedroom to find Alice still
retching over the balcony. Neil, dropping his
saddlebags on the floor, reached her first. He placed
a steady arm around her shoulders that were shaking
with fatigue.

Christy had a damp cloth and a glass of water ready
when the older woman slowly straightened up. After
gently wiping her face, Christy tipped the glass to
Miss Alice's lips, and waited as she swished the water
around her mouth and spat it out.  Neil and David then
flanked the ill woman and guided her back to her bed. 

"Alice, how long have you been vomiting?" Neil asked
in his professional tone as he washed his hands in the
basin on top of the dresser. 

"Oh, I was up a couple times during the night." Alice
gave her son-in-law a knowing look. "This is not the
remnants of food poisoning." 

Neil retrieved his stethoscope from his saddlebags,
had Alice breathe in and out a few times and took her
pulse. He finished quickly and effectively before
answering.  "You're correct in that assumption, Alice.
But I'll need to examine you further to make a proper
diagnosis." He looked pointedly at David. 

Christy interpreted the doctor's look and walked over
to the young man, who had been silently praying for
his mentor. "David, Doctor MacNeill has to examine
Miss Alice . . . Oh, my goodness!" Her eyes grew wide.
"David, breakfast is still on the stove!" 

Even as she spoke, the smell of burnt food wafted up
the stairs of the mission. Christy made a move to go,
"Ruby Mae and Frederick must still be outside, or else
they would have . . ." 

"Christy," Neil interrupted before she could leave the
room, "I'd like you to stay." 

"I'll tend to breakfast, Christy. Doctor MacNeill
needs you here." He bent down and spoke softly. "I'm
sure Alice would be comforted by your presence." 

Christy walked back to the bed and took Alice's hand
in her own. 

As David shut the door behind him, Neil pulled back
the bedclothes. "Alice, I need to know if this hurts
or is tender in any way." 

Christy watched as Neil began his examination. 
Starting at the lower abdomen, he gently probed,
keeping a watchful eye on his patient's face. His
hands moved to the upper abdomen, and at his slightest
touch, Alice winced in pain. She shivered as Neil
pulled up the covers. 

"Christy, would you shut the balcony doors, please?"
he asked.

Alice gave him a leveling look. "Tell me, Neil. Do not
hide the truth from me." 

Neil sighed. "Alice, I'm certain you have an ulcer." 

Her eyes widened somewhat, but she said nothing,
allowing him to continue. 

"I don't think it's advanced, though I spotted a bit
of blood when you vomited. Have you had any other
bouts of vomiting lately, other than the food
poisoning?" 

Christy was now back at the bedside, once again
squeezing Alice's hand in support. Miss Alice sent her
a grateful look.

"In the past couple months, I have been ill probably
half a dozen times. I thought nothing of it, as my
meals often come by unreliable sources while I'm on
the road." 

Neil's expression made clear that she should have
mentioned those times to him, but he held his tongue,
not wanting to berate his patient. "Did you notice any
blood those other times?" 

"No, this was the first case." Alice looked completely
worn out from lack of sleep. 

Christy patted her arm. "You just stay in bed. I'll
see to things around the mission." 

"That's a good idea," Neil said. "I recommend complete
bed rest for a few days and a change in your diet. You
know the drill. Christy, I'll fill you in on what she
can and cannot eat. Meanwhile . . ." 

Suddenly, Neil was interrupted by a scream that could
only have come from Ruby Mae. All heads turned towards
the double doors, and Neil and Christy rushed onto the
landing. 

The scene that met their eyes sent chills down
Christy's spine. Ruby Mae and Frederick were at the
back of the mission near the brush. On the ground was
a timber rattlesnake, its black bands and tail stark
against its pale brown body.  The snake was coiled and
ready to strike. 

The scene moved as if in slow motion. David had rushed
out of the mission at the girl's scream, carrying a
still smoking frying pan. Ruby Mae turned,
transferring her petrified gaze from the snake to
David. 

Christy watched, frozen in horror as the next sequence
of events seem to unfold all at once. As the snake
lunged at the girl's bare ankles, Frederick stepped in
front of her. David threw down the skillet and lunged
for Ruby Mae. The force of his tackle knocked her to
the ground a few feet away, where he quickly shielded
her with his body. 

A scream lodged in Christy's throat as the snake sunk
its fangs into Frederick's leg.  Neil whipped out his
newly acquired knife and, without a moment's
hesitation, threw it with accuracy and precision,
stabbing the rattler just as it released the boy. 

"Alice, you stay put!" Neil yelled as he and Christy
ran down the back staircase towards the three prone
bodies. Neil ran straight to Frederick, who was
grimacing with pain and holding his right calf. 

"Ruby Mae! David!" Christy yelled, as she neared the
two. 

David slowly pulled himself off the young girl, who
rose to her feet, white faced and terrified.

"Is either one of you bitten?" Christy asked. 

David shook his head, then placed his hand on the
girl's trembling arm. "Ruby Mae, you're not bitten,
are you?" 

Ruby Mae was starring transfixed at the dead snake,
but found her voice. "No, Preacher. I reckon you done
grabbed me out of the way jest in time." 

Christy was gently patting her student's shoulder when
Neil's voice brought her head around. 

"Ruby Mae, I need my saddle bags up in Alice's room. 
Right away." His tone was serious and preoccupied, all
his attention was focused on Frederick.  

He loosely tied his handkerchief around the boy's leg.
Already the puncture wound was swollen and red, blood
oozing down the boy's leg. "Sit still, lad. I know it
hurts, but the more you move around, the more the
venom spreads through out your body." Frederick
stopped squirming immediately, but Neil could tell the
boy was fighting the burning pain. 

A moment later, Ruby Mae came running back with the
saddlebags, quickly placing them next to the doctor. 

Neil almost grabbed them out of her hands then
addressed David. "Reverend, I need a pan of boiling
water here. Quickly now." 

As David did as he was instructed, Christy turned
towards Ruby Mae, who looked as though she had
regained her composure and was ready to ask a hundred
questions. Just as her mouth opened, Christy spoke. 
"Ruby Mae, would you go keep Miss Alice company? She's
ill, and I'm afraid she might get out of bed to find
out what is happening. That would not do her any good.
Can you do that?" 

"Yes'm, Miz Christy! I'll make sure she stays tucked
up jest as snug as a newborn possum!" 

But as the girl turned to go inside the mission,
Christy stopped her. "Ruby Mae?" The teenager turned,
perched on the first stair. "I'm glad you're all
right." A smile lit up Ruby Mae's face. "Now go. Miss
Alice is waiting."
 
Christy turned back toward Dr. MacNeill, her smile
dying as she watched the doctor put his mouth to the
bite area, suck out the venom, then spit. Next, he
instructed David to kneel on the ground at Frederick's
side. "Keep him from thrashing about," he said, before
giving Frederick his attention once again. "Now, lad,
I'm going to have to cut away the skin around the bite
area. Are you up for it?" 

The boy nodded, his eyes standing out in his pale face
fearfully, but he spoke with nary a tremor in his
voice. "I reckon you know what's best." Already the
boy was shivering, yet perspiration stood out on his
brow. 

"You're a brave lad." Neil looked up at Christy. "Miss
Huddleston, could you assist me, please. I need you to
hold these and be ready to pass them to me." 

Christy looked down at what Neil held in his hands: a
syringe and a scalpel. 


== == == == == == == == == == ==

Chapter 6

It seemed as if Christy's entire body was shaking save
for her hands, which felt oddly detached from the rest
of her body. Looking down at them as if seeking
reassurance that they were still attached, she saw the
syringe and scalpel, which Neil had placed there
seconds before. 

Dousing his hands liberally in water, Neil looked
grimly at the boy. "I'll not lie to you lad, this is
going to hurt." 

Frederick nodded, tears and sweat streaking white
stripes down his dirty face. He looked down at his
swollen leg and gulped. "Can't hurt more'n it does." 

"Ready?" Neil glanced at David. 

Pinning Frederick's arms to his side, David nodded. 

"The scalpel please Miss Huddleston." Neil spoke in a
brusque professional tone. 

But her eyes were fixed on the small droplets of blood
seeping from Frederick's wound, her mind frozen in
terror at the prospect of what was to come. 

"Christy," Neil said softly. 

Christy looked up slowly into the Doctor's intense
eyes. No words were exchanged between them, but as
Christy was enveloped in the doctor's gaze, she drew
strength and felt a peaceful calm steal through her
body, similar to when she had assisted with Little
Burl's surgery. Wordlessly she handed him the scalpel.


Frederick flinched as the cool blade of the scalpel
pierced his skin, but remained stoically silent and
still as Neil deftly cut away the skin around the
wound, creating a large hole to release the venom. 

Handing Christy the scalpel he quickly inserted the
syringe into the leg. "For tetanus," he said, drawing
the needle out. Washing the wound with water and
ammonia, he lightly dressed the grossly swollen leg.
Sitting back on his heels he rinsed his bloodstained
hands. 

"That's all that can be done. We'll move him into the
mission now," he said in a strained voice. "Oh, and
Reverend." He cocked his head in David's direction.
"If I was a praying man, I'd be offering them up about
now." 

****

Settling Frederick in the nearest bed, Neil sent
Christy for water, and pulled a chair up to the boy's
bedside. "It'll be all right," he said softly,
brushing the boy's sweat soaked hair out of his eyes.
Frederick's features were pinched and drawn, eyes
staring unfocused out of his pale skull. 

"Frederick! Frederick... lad, stay with us!" Neil
gripped the boy's hands fiercely in his own. 

Frederick started, his eyes focusing on Neil as he
groaned slightly and clung to Neil's hands. 

"I know it hurts, here's some water now." Neil tried
unsuccessfully to free one of his hands from
Frederick's grip. Clearing his throat, he said, "Miss
Huddleston if you wouldn't mind..." 

But Christy was already lifting the glass to
Frederick's lips. 

Choking slightly as water dribbled down his chin,
Frederick gasped, "Doc... I don't... know as I can
hardly stand the... pain."

"It'll pass lad, just lie still.  I'll tell you the
story of Bonnie Prince Charlie." 

"Prince who?" gasped Frederick, still in pain but
clearly interested. 

Neil smiled gently and taking a deep breath gave
himself up to a passionate re-telling of Prince
Charlie's exploits. As his Scottish brogue swirled
about the room, his audience grew still and silent
with anticipation. Frederick gazed at him, eyes filled
with excitement and pain nearly forgotten as the
doctor's voice transported his imagination to the
highlands of Scotland where the bitter defeat of
Prince Charlie and the slaughter of his Jacobite army
at the battle of Culloden had forced the Bonnie Prince
into exile.

Christy drew up a chair on the other side of the bed,
equally captivated by the doctor's carefully chosen
words. Even David, leaning against the door, was drawn
in by the story. Stopping outside the doorway Ruby Mae
peered in at Frederick with wide frightened eyes, her
fear quickly forgotten as the doctor's lyrical voice
drew her into the room. 

"I've got to change the dressing on your wound now,
Frederick," Neil said. 

Christy looked up in surprise but, realizing that the
story had come to an end, left the room to fetch a
basin of water. Glancing outside at the sun, she was
surprised to see that several hours had passed. 

"I think he'll live," Neil said in a low voice,
suddenly appearing at her side. Leaning against the
kitchen table as Christy began to boil some water, he
ran his fingers through his curly disheveled hair.
"Once someone has been bitten by a snake, there's not
a lot to be done, medically that is. It all depends on
how deadly the snake is and how much venom is in the
bite. Frederick's still alive. If it was a systemic
bite... more venom, deadly -- well he wouldn't have
made it this long." 

Christy nodded thoughtfully. "Thank God." 

Neil blinked but said nothing for a moment, "There's
still danger. I gave him a tetanus shot, but the wound
could become infected, gangrene could set in..." His
voice trailed off, the unspoken possibilities hanging
as thick on the air.

Suddenly Ruby Mae burst into the kitchen, "Doc, tell
me truly now--" 

Neil clasped Ruby Mae on the shoulder to respond
before she caught her breath. "I think he'll be all
right Ruby Mae."

"Praise the Lord!" Ruby Mae flung her arms around the
doctor's neck in excitement. 

Neil cleared his throat and patted her on the head as
he tried to untangle himself from the girl's iron
grip.

Christy quickly relieved him by folding Ruby Mae into
an embrace, struggling to hide a smile as she caught
sight of the doctor's red-tinged face. 

"The water's boiling Miss Huddleston," the doctor
said, smiling slightly at Ruby Mae's enthusiastic
exclamations.

Gently Christy released Ruby Mae, and armed with
boiling water, followed Neil out of the kitchen. 

After cleaning and dressing the wound, Neil urged
Frederick to try to sleep.

"If he's out of danger Doctor, you should get some
rest," David said from the doorway. "I'll sit with him
and wake you up in a few hours to change the dressings
again." 

Neil looked at him in surprise, ready to protest, but
saw the sincerity in David's eyes and shrugged. 

"I'll make you something to eat before you go to
sleep, Doctor," Christy said. "Why don't you help me,
Ruby Mae?"

Returning to the kitchen, Neil sat down at the table
while Christy prepared the food. Ruby Mae set the
table, chattering all the while about Frederick's
injury.  Suddenly, she stopped in mid-sentence. 

Christy looked up in surprise. "Ruby Mae what is it?" 

"If it weren't for Frederick steppin' in front o' me,
I reckon as that thar rattler would have bit me.  Why
he be jest like that thar Willoughby, from the book. 
I reckon that Mr. Willoughby would have done jest such
a thing fer Marianne." She sighed melodramatically. 

Christy and Neil struggled unsuccessfully to suppress
large grins, but Ruby Mae was oblivious to them both.
"Yessiree, he be the spittin' image of Willoughby." 

****

Christy slept later than usual the next morning,
having sat up with Frederick late into the night.
Dressing quickly she walked down the hall towards
Frederick's room.  As she pushed open the door, her
view of Frederick was temporarily obstructed by Neil
MacNeill's back. 

He turned, revealing Frederick's bare white leg
covered in what looked like bruises, stretched out on
the bed. Puzzled, she took a step closer and gasped.
Neil grasped  her firmly around the shoulders and
ushered her out of the room, shutting the door behind
him.  He leaned against it and looked at her with
stricken eyes. "Gangrene." His voice was barely
audible.


== == == == == == == == == == ==

Chapter 7


Christy stared at Neil for a moment, unable to speak.
Just a few short hours ago, it had seemed that
Frederick's complete recovery was merely a matter of
time. She knew that Neil had mentioned the possibility
of infection, but she simply had not allowed herself
to think of that happening.  As the reality of the
situation began to set in, Christy looked again at her
friend. Surely it wasn't as bad as it sounded?

"What will happen now, Neil? Exactly how serious is
this?" 

"It's very serious, Christy. If I'm to have any hope
of saving that boy's life, I'll have to amputate. Even
then, there is no certainty he'll survive. There's a
high risk of infection, complications..." His voice
trailed off. 

Although she was fairly sure of the answer, Christy
took a deep breath before asking the next question. 
"And if you don't amputate?"

"The boy will be dead within the week." Neil closed
his eyes and slumped against the door. 

Never before had Christy seen Neil look so utterly
defeated, and it frightened her. His face was pale and
there were dark circles under his eyes. It almost
seemed as if he'd aged overnight. Christy knew that
Neil MacNeill was a caring and capable doctor, but
Frederick's injuries had affected him badly and she
couldn't quite understand why.

"What am I going to tell him, Christy?"  Neil looked
despairingly at her. "How do I tell a sixteen year old
boy that his reward for saving a young girl from a
snake bite is to lose his leg? How do I tell him
that?"

Christy put her hand on Neil's shoulder. "You're very
fond of Frederick, aren't you?"

"Yes." Neil's admission was scarcely more than a
whisper.

"Why?"

"That boy has been through so much already, Christy.
Those scars and bruises show he's been beaten; he
walked all the way from Knoxville, and likely as not
saved Ruby Mae's life by stepping in front of her when
he did. And he's a brave lad too. Many grown men would
have yelled and writhed in agony when I cut around the
wound, but not him."

Christy nodded her agreement.

"Why has this happened, Christy? A few days ago, I was
sewing those two foolish lads in Raven Gap back
together. They were injured through their own
stupidity. But all Frederick did was to protect Ruby
Mae and he might pay with his life. Why does this
happen, Christy? Is this your compassionate God? Is
this more of His handiwork?"

Christy tried to think of the right words to soothe
Neil's troubled spirit. He was obviously fond of
Frederick, almost in a paternal way. Perhaps the
courage of the young boy had impressed him or maybe
the events of the past few days had finally taken
their toll. Neil certainly looked more tired than
she'd ever seen him. 

"Neil," she began. "I know that you are upset and that
this seems so unfair. I agree. To think that Frederick
is not going to be able to walk or run normally and
that his life will totally change from one act of
bravery doesn't seem fair. But there must be a reason
for it, Neil. There has to be. And whatever that
reason is, Frederick is going to need your skill as a
surgeon more than ever. You can save his life Neil.
And you will. I believe in you so much." 

Neil looked down at her and Christy was shocked to see
tears in his eyes. 

****

The sunlight shining through the window finally woke
Frederick later that morning. At first, he didn't
remember where he was. As he tried to sit up to look
out of the window, a white-hot flash of pain shot up
his leg. Frederick gasped and grabbed the edge of the
bed to stop himself from fainting. He gingerly lowered
himself back down on the pillow, beads of sweat
forming on his forehead. 

The events of the past few days came rushing back to
him: his arrival in Cutter Gap, his meeting with Dr.
MacNeill, his new friends at the mission and finally
the pain of the rattlesnake bite and its treatment.
Frederick looked down at his leg. What was going to
happen to him?

The door opened a crack and Ruby Mae poked her head
in. "Oh, yer awake at last!" she began.  "How're ya
feeling? The Doc and Miz Christy said I wasn't to
disturb you, but I wanted to see if you was all right.
I reckon you right near saved my life yesterday. I was
just so scared, seein' that big ol' snake aimin' fer
my ankles and all. Anyways, I wanted to thank you and
to say I think yer just about the bravest boy I's ever
known." 

Frederick stared at her. His head was swimming from
the pain and it was taking all his concentration to
focus on what was being said.

"Ruby Mae," whispered Frederick, "can you go get Doc
MacNeill, please?"

The young girl smiled. "Course I will! I'll go find
him right now. I'll be back real fast!"

The door closed and Frederick shut his eyes. He had to
ask the doctor what was happening. The pain this
morning seemed even worse than yesterday.

****

"Doc MacNeill!"  Ruby Mae raced into the kitchen,
where Neil was having coffee with Christy and David.
"Frederick's awake and he's askin' fer ya."

 Neil looked solemnly at the other two before standing
up. "Thank you Ruby Mae."

"Do you want me to come too?" asked Christy.

"No thank you, Christy.  I can tell him myself." With
a heavy sigh, he headed for Frederick's room.

"Well lad, how are you feeling this morning?" 

"Not too good, Doc. My leg feels like it's on fire.
What's wrong with it? Did somethin' go wrong? Didn't
ya git all the poison out?"

Neil took a deep breath. "It's not that exactly. The
problem was with the wound itself. It's become
infected and..." Neil stopped, unable to continue.

"Doc." Frederick leaned forward to grab Neil's sleeve.
"Ya gotta tell me the truth, whatever it is. I kin
take it, just tell me."

"Frederick, gangrene has set in.  It's very serious.
If I don't amputate, you will die." 

Frederick's eyes widened. "Amputate?" he whispered.
"Do you mean cuttin' my leg clean off?"

"Aye, that's what I mean."

"NO!" 

"It's your only chance, lad."

Tears were streaking down Frederick's face. He wiped
them away angrily. "I don't care, Doc! How kin I do
things with only one leg? I'm going to Asheville to
get me a job. No one'll give a job to a cripple! I'm
sixteen, Doc! I want to find me a wife one day, and
settle down on a place of our own. Who'd want me with
just one leg? No! I won't let ya do it!" 

"Frederick, didn't you hear what I said? Without an
amputation, you will die."

"Way I sees it, my life won't be worth livin' anyway.
I'm not changin' my mind, Doc. Please leave me alone."
 Frederick turned his face to the wall.

Neil looked at him with despair then stood and quietly
and left the room, shutting the door with a soft
click.  A few minutes later, he once again found
himself in the dining room.  By now, Ruby Mae had
learned about the gangrene and its terrible
consequences.

"Oh Miz Christy! Preacher! Doc! That cain't happen, it
just cain't!"  Ruby Mae was distraught. "It's all my
fault! Frederick was savin' me!  It's not fair!" 

Christy pulled the sobbing girl into her arms.  "Ruby
Mae, it's not your fault. I'm sure that Frederick will
change his mind when he gets a chance to think about
it."

Ruby Mae sniffed and wiped her eyes.  "Oh, I surely
hope so, Miz Christy.  He's a hero, after all. Just
like Mr. Willoughby in the book was. I reckon
Willoughby--"

"Confound it, Ruby Mae!" Neil pushed back the chair
and turned to face her. "For your information,
Willoughby was a cad who left Marianne for another
woman who had more money. Colonel Brandon, on the
other hand, rode all night to fetch Marianne's mother
when she lay desperately ill and looked after her as
she recovered.  Don't liken Frederick to that selfish
Willoughby - if you must compare the lad to an Austen
hero, at least pick the right one!"

Neil strode from the room, leaving a dumbfounded Ruby
Mae and an equally astonished Christy and David behind
him.

****

Neil walked down the hallway to Alice's room.

"Alice," he said. "You should be resting."

"I am finding it rather difficult to do so," answered
the older woman.  "It seems to me that there is a lot
of unrest in the house this morning.  Will thee tell
me what has been going on?"  

He told her of Frederick and of the heartbreaking
decision he would have to make.

"Am I to understand that Frederick's leg must be
amputated or the boy will die?" 

"Yes, Alice, that's correct. He refuses, says that his
life will be over anyway."

"Can thee not understand why he feels that way?"

"I know that he doesn't want to lose his leg. But I
will not stand by and watch him die without doing
something to save him."

"That is what makes thee a fine doctor, Neil. Thee has
true compassion for thy patients. More so than thee
has for thyself, it seems."

"What do you mean?" Neil looked at her warily.

"It seems to me that thee is blaming thyself for some
reason. Thee could not have prevented this from
happening, Neil."

Neil sat down on the chair next to the bed, looking to
the floor.  "What do I do, Alice?"

"Perhaps I should talk to the boy."

"You will do no such thing. You're ill yourself."

"Ah yes. The ulcer that thee tells me I have.  Will it
require surgery?"

"Possibly." 

Alice adjusted her pillows slightly before continuing.
 "Is it possible that my illness was the result of
food poisoning after all?"

"It's highly unlikely, Alice. You said so yourself."

"I am aware of what I said, Doctor. But is it
possible?"

"I suppose it is possible.  Bed rest and a change of
diet will give us some indication."

"And if it is an ulcer, thee said it was not
advanced?"

"No, not yet."

"Well then," Alice said, "one operation being
performed at the mission is more than enough for the
time being. Thee must concentrate on Frederick. I will
be fine."

Neil looked at her with new respect.  "Alice, how can
you be so sure that everything will work out as you
want it to?"

The older woman looked at him intently.  "I can't be
sure, Neil. All I can do is ask for help and pray for
the Lord's guidance. It seems to me, Neil, that thee
is in need of some help and guidance of thy own. Why
not try asking for it?"

Neil stood up, looking from Alice's face, down the
hallway towards the room where Frederick lay. "I don't
know, Alice," he said, so quietly that Alice could
hardly hear. "I just don't know."


== == == == == == == == == == ==

Chapter 8


Sunlight streamed through the windows. It seemed
ironic that the sun could continue to shine as though
nothing had happened in the previous days. Frederick
had welcomed the dark of night like a friend, and now
the brightness had come to take its place. The
brilliance of day would not allow him to hide what the
night so easily had engulfed. 

He refused to let his eyes wander down to the lump
beneath his sheet that was his leg. In the night it
had been so easy to believe that everything that had
happened was only a dream. Now the pain reminded him
that nothing was ever going to be as he'd planned. He
had looked at his leg in the night and the first thing
that came to mind was his mother. 

His leg looked a lot like her face did after a beating
from his father. It was purple and swollen. It almost
looked like it did not belong on his body. He could
not understand why this had happened to him. He'd left
his home in Knoxville because of the beatings and the
pressure of defending his mother.  Now he would never
be able to do all that he had planned. 

Frederick's mind wandered back to the trips he and his
parents used to take into town on Saturday mornings.
The trips did not happen often because his father was
usually drunk, but occasionally he was sober enough to
demand that they all go. On one of those trips,
Frederick had caught something out of the corner of
his eye. 

There was an old man in the alleyway between the bank
and the barbershop, leaning against the wall. He wore
a tattered Confederate uniform, so full of years that
it no longer resembled the once proud uniform it had
been but for the patch on the sleeve and the brass
buttons.  Where the man's right leg should have been,
there was nothing. He held a cup and begged for money.
 Frederick had averted his eyes when the man looked at
him. But it was too late.  For a brief instant, his
eyes met those of the beggar, who seemed to be
transmitting a silent message. Whatever the message
was, Frederick was not interested and he turned toward
his mother. 

Now he was going to be like that beggar. His plans
were ruined. No one would marry him. How could he farm
or work at a store? His future was that of the relic
he had seen wearing that uniform and leaning on the
wall, waiting to die. 

Frederick could not help himself. The tears began to
stream down his face like twin rivers. He remembered
reading somewhere that God collects tears and puts
them in a jar. He thought it ironic that his jar used
to be empty and now it was headed toward full. 

A soft knock came at the door. 

"Frederick, I brought you some breakfast. May I come
in?" 

The voice belonged to Miss Huddleston. Frederick had
no desire to eat. To eat now would connect him to a
world that he no longer felt a part of, a world that
would go on and on without him and without his leg. He
ignored the voice, hoping it would go away. 

"Frederick, I know you're awake. Please say
something." Christy had heard him crying but knew
better than to say so.  "Frederick, I'm coming in."
She carefully balanced the tray as she opened the
door. 

Frederick hurriedly wiped the tears from his face and
straightened the rumpled blankets. "I don't want any,"
he said, despite the rumbling in his stomach at the
sight of the oatmeal, eggs and milk on the tray. 

"I do wish you'd eat, but I really came here to talk
about what Doctor MacNeill told you. It is really the
only way. He has to..." Christy could not bring
herself to say 'amputate.'  She began again.  "He has
to perform the surgery to make you well. Doctor
MacNeill is a fine doctor. You can trust him."

Frederick choked down the lump in his throat. "I can't
let him take off my leg. Why did this have to happen
to me? I just wanted a better life than sittin' around
watchin' my daddy beat my momma. Maybe God is
punishin' me for leavin' home." 

When she didn't speak, he took a deep breath and
continued. 

"I had plans, Miss Christy. I hope you don't mind me
callin' you that instead of Miss Huddleston. I wanted
a wife and a job and young'uns, lots of 'em, so I can
right the mistakes my Daddy made with me. But no
woman's gonna want me. I can't even dance. No woman is
gonna marry a man that can't dance. I ain't never seen
a one legged fellow with a wife. I can't even farm.
I'm gonna be stuck in a corner somewheres, being taken
care of.  People are gonna call me Ol' Peg Leg when
they see me comin'." The tears started to roll down
his face. 

Christy took a deep breath, then began to speak.
"Frederick, you will not be a beggar. You will always
have friends at this mission. God was not trying to
punish you. God does not punish like that. He has
mercy and compassion. I don't understand why this
happened, but I do know that your future is in God's
hands. Please, you won't have a future unless you let
Doctor MacNeill help you. He's a skilled doctor. He'll
do his very best for you." 

Frederick continued to cry. "Miss Christy, I don't
want to lose my leg. I'll never be whole again. Don't
you understand?" 

"Frederick, let me tell you a story. I had a little
sister named Amelia. I loved her so much that I would
tell everyone that she was my baby. I did everything I
could for her. I changed her, fed her, rocked her to
sleep. She caught scarlet fever and died when she was
very young. I don't understand why God took her from
me. But, it wasn't a punishment.  If there had been
anything I could do for her, it would have been a gift
from Him.  And, there is something that can be done
for you. Neil MacNeill is your gift from God and you
have to take the help that he is offering. Without it,
you will surely die. Please, let him help you." 

Frederick closed his eyes against the truth that was
becoming cemented in his mind after every word that
the teacher said. He knew he did not have a choice. He
opened his eyes and weakly nodded his head. 

****

Miss Alice leaned against the pillows. Sometimes,
being an early riser was no benefit to a body. So far,
she had talked the ear of God off in prayer, read
Esther and memorized Psalm 63. Convalescence was not a
thing that the old Quaker took to well. 

A loud knock at the door interrupted her thought and
Ruby Mae bounded into the room holding a tray. "Miss
Alice, how are ya this mornin'? I brought you
breakfast. Doctor's orders that it's so plain, though
-- just oatmeal and water.  Mrs. Spencer made it." 

Miss Alice had to stifle a smile at that. She knew
that there was probably possum cooking somewhere in
the house and whispered a silent thank you to God that
she would not have to eat it. Normally, Ruby Mae's
boisterous personality was a little much for her to
bear, but on this day it was a welcome sight. 

Miss Alice knew that if she got out of bed again there
would be no place to hide from the ire of Dr. MacNeill
and Christy, so she gestured toward the chair next to
the bed and Ruby Mae sat down. 

"Oh, Miss Alice, it is all my fault that boy is goin'
to lose a leg. If I hadn't been in the way, he would
be alright." 

"Does thee think thee is so powerful, Ruby Mae?
Throughout the history of time, the Almighty has had
trouble with snakes. You were there, to be sure, but
it was not your doing. Sometimes things happen with no
one to blame."

"Oh, but Miss Alice, he was so brave, rushin' to
protect me, and now he's gonna lose a leg, if Doc
MacNeill's right. Why did this have to happen to my
Willoughby?" 

Miss Alice was not sure what this Willoughby person
had to do with anything, but she did know that Ruby
Mae was in need of comfort. "The situation that we
have, Ruby Mae, can only be changed by the power of
prayer and the hands of a skilled doctor. You are not
to blame, child.  Instead of tormenting yourself so,
use thy energy in prayer."

Ruby Mae nodded her head in agreement and knelt by the
bed as Miss Alice began to pray. 

****

Christy ran as fast as she could from the mission to
the doctor's cabin. She knew that she should have
waited until David saddled up the horse, but she
didn't want to hear what he might say. She knew he
would think it foolish of her to go up to the doctor's
cabin when he was coming later that day to check on
his patients. She couldn't wait. She couldn't take the
chance that Frederick might change his mind. 

She rushed up the steps of the cabin and pounded on
the door. It opened almost immediately.  The doctor
looked better than he had for several days.  He'd
changed his clothes and managed to bathe, although he
hadn't shaved. His eyes still looked tired, and
Christy could tell that the troubles at the mission
weighed heavily on his heart. Over his shoulder,
Christy could see open books open on the table and
knew, even without seeing what he'd been reading, that
he was doing research on how to help his patients. 

"Frederick said he would have the surgery," she said
breathlessly. 

"Come in while I get my bags." 

Christy stepped inside the door and walked toward one
of the open books. She saw that she had been right--he
was reading about ulcers. 

Almost as quickly as he'd disappeared, Neil returned
with his bag. He hurried her out the door and looked
quickly around for her horse.  

"Christy, how did you get here?" 

"I ran. I wanted to get here as soon as possible." 

Neil said nothing as he guided her toward his horse.
He helped her up and then hoisted himself into the
saddle. 

The Cove was beautiful in springtime. The trees and
flowers had come alive and seemed to be guiding them
toward their destination. But the riders were too
preoccupied to notice. 

Christy did not see the mountain laurel or wild roses.
Her mind, which had been concentrating on the medical
emergencies at the mission, was now preoccupied with a
much more immediate thought. Neil was right behind her
on the horse with his arms coming forward to reach the
reins. It almost felt as though he were hugging her.
She was being held safely by his arms, and she
believed in her heart, that as safe as she felt on
that horse, that was as safe as his skill could make
the ailing at the mission. She silently prayed that
God would use this man to heal Miss Alice and
Frederick. 

The trip was short and they arrived at the mission
quickly. Neil helped Christy off the horse and they
ran up the steps of the mission house.  Ruby Mae was
on her way down the stairs.


== == == == == == == == == == ==

Chapter 9


Ruby Mae's face lit up when she saw the doctor and
Christy coming in the front door. 

"Mornin', Doc!"  She felt much better after praying
with Miss Alice. "Ye'll surely be glad to know that
Miz Alice--" 

Christy let out a cry as Ruby Mae, in her excited
haste, tripped and rolled down the last thirteen
steps, tray and all. Neil and Christy were immediately
on their knees beside the heap of girl and broken
dishes. 

"Ruby Mae, are you all right?" Christy asked. 

The girl lifted her head and pushed back her wild hair
from her face, which was red with mortification. "I
reckon I'm awright," she said softly as she began
picking up shards of porcelain and glass. 

"Did you hit your head? Does anything hurt?" Dr.
MacNeill asked, taking Ruby Mae's face in his hands,
searching her eyes for signs of a concussion, feeling
beneath her fiery curls for bumps. 

"No sir, Doc." Ruby Mae shook her head. "Didn't hit
nor hurt nothin."  She was still embarrassed. 

"Don't worry about it, Ruby Mae," the doctor said,
patting her as he stood. "Now, what were you saying
about Miss Alice?" 

Ruby Mae perked up. "She done eat mosta her breakfast,
an' she looked to be feelin' a mite better'n
yesterday." Her blue eyes widened. "But Lordamercy,
she's right tetchious!" 

Neil and Christy exchanged amused glances.

"I'll check on her," Neil said, then climbed the
stairs. 

Christy helped Ruby Mae clean up the mess from her
tumble. Carefully, the two picked up the pieces of
bowl and cup. There was oatmeal on the floorboards,
and they'd cleaned as much as they could when Ruby Mae
spoke. 

"Miz Christy, seems as though every time I turn
'round, I'm breaking or burning something or makin' a
fool outta myself. Why'm I always doin' such
twitter-witted things as rollin' down the stairs?
Other girls surely ain't so clumsy as me." 

Christy opened her mouth to reply, but the high,
grating ring of the telephone pierced the quiet of the
mission house. She rose and quickly went into the hall
to answer it. 

"Cutter Gap mission." She spoke loudly into the
mouthpiece. 

"Miss Huddleston?" came a man's deep voice from the
other end. Without waiting for Christy to respond, the
caller contineud, "This is Jacob Ferrand. I've been in
El Pano for over an hour now. Is no one coming to meet
me?" 

"El Pano? Meet you?" Christy repeated.

"I just arrived for my visit to the mission." 

"Visit?"  

"I wrote to Alice over a month ago, before she left
for Cataleechie, to inform her that I would be coming
to assess how things are in Cutter Gap. She wrote back
to say that someone would be at the train station to
meet me." 

"Miss Alice never mentioned it," Christy said,
noticing that Dr. Ferrand did not sound incredibly
agitated as he often did when inconvenienced. "She
must have forgotten in her preparation for her trip to
Cataleechie. And she's been ill since--" 

"Ill?" Dr. Ferrand's voice rose in alarm. 

"She has an ulcer.  Doctor MacNeill thinks he might
have to operate. But he's got his hands full right now
with an amputation." 

Now it was Dr. Ferrand's turn to be confused.
"Amputation?" 

Christy quickly related the story of Frederick. 

"Dear God," he murmured. "Well, it seems that my visit
falls at just the right time. Apparently the Lord has
more work for me than simply making assessments." He
paused momentarily. "Miss Huddleston, should I find
another way to the mission? It sounds like all hands
are needed right now." 

Christy turned around as the front door opened and
David came in.  

"No, Doctor Ferrand," Christy said. "David can come
get you." 

"Doctor Ferrand's coming?" he asked, striding over to
Christy. 

Christy covered the mouthpiece with her hand and
answered in a low voice. "He's in El Pano right now. 
Miss Alice forgot to tell us he was coming." 

"Tell him I'm on my way," David said, heading out the
door. 

Christy relayed the message to Dr. Ferrand, then hung
up and ran upstairs. 

Dr. MacNeill was still with Miss Alice, who looked
groggy.  The doctor was setting an empty glass on the
bedside table, talking about her ulcer and treatment
options. Christy stood silently in the doorway,
unnoticed by both occupants of the room. She listened
to Neil's discourse, all incomprehensible medical
terms.  

"Yes, Doctor, I see," Alice said periodically. 

Christy wondered how Miss Alice could keep up with the
doctor; then she saw a playful grin on Neil's lips as
he spouted his medical knowledge, and realized that
her mentor was not hearing a word, and Neil knew it. 

"Did you drug her?" Christy asked. 

"No," said Miss Alice, in a moment of alertness. "He
did not." 

Neil turned his head to Christy and grinned. "I gave
her a little something for the pain." 

"Is she hurting a great deal?" 

"I am here, Miss Huddleston. Thee does not have to
talk about me as if I were not." Alice spoke with
attempted authority, but her words were slurred, and
her eyes did not focus on Christy. "But yes, I am in a
little pain." 

"More than a little," Neil said low enough that only
Christy could hear. 

"Doctor Ferrand just telephoned from El Pano." 

"Oh. I forgot all about him; he's coming today," Alice
said absently, sitting up in bed.  

Neil gently pushed her back against the pillows. The
drug was obviously taking affect, for the usually
uncooperative invalid did not resist his restraining
arm.

Suddenly, Alice's face changed, and her voice grew
high with concern. "Has he been in El Pano long? How
will he get here?" She tried to free herself from
Neil's grasp. 

"David's gone with the wagon to bring Doctor Ferrand
to the mission," Christy assured her. "Don't worry."
She stroked the woman's hand, and Alice settled into a
lackadaisical calm. 

"When did Ferrand arrive?" Neil asked. 

"About an hour ago."

"I imagine he didn't exude cordiality when you talked
to him." 

"Actually, he didn't sound too irritated, at least not
after I told him about Miss Alice and Frederick." 

"I am always out of commission when Jacob comes,"
Alice commented to no one in particular. 

"Don't worry about that," Christy said. "Just rest." 

"Speaking of Frederick..." All levity was gone from
the doctor's countenance and voice as he spoke to
Alice. "He told Christy he'd let me amputate."  

"Oh," Miss Alice murmured. "When -- will you --
operate?" Her words trailed off, and she closed her
eyes. 

Neil stared at the floor. He looked tired, defeated.
"The sooner the -- better." He heaved a great sigh and
ran a hand through his hair. Better? Was taking a
boy's leg better? There were two alternatives to
treating gangrene: bad and worse. And just because
there was a less bad alternative, Neil certainly did
not think it better. At that moment, he wished with
all his heart he was not a doctor.   

"I'll operate today."  The word fell from his tongue
like the ominous rumble of thunder. Christy shuddered.


Dr. MacNeill glanced at Alice and saw that the drug
had at last overpowered her.  She was sound asleep. He
stood, picked up his bag, and slowly walked out the
door. 

Christy followed him from the room, softly shutting
the door behind her. 

"You're -- you're really going to -- to do it--" she
gulped.  "Today?" 

Neil nodded slowly. "Christy, I--" he hesitated and
gazed down at her. She was so sweet, so innocent, full
of life and hope. "I need you today, Christy." 

Big blue eyes stared at him quizzically.  Christy
obviously did not grasp what he had just said.  He
took her small, soft hands in his. 

"I hate to put you through this, lass; I don't want
you to see--" Neil struggled to control his emotions.
The day's task and his desire to shelter the young
woman before him filled him with dread. "I wish I
didn't have to ask this of you, but there's no one
else..." 

"You need me to help with the operation." Christy's
voice was low as realization dawned within her. 

Neil gripped Christy's hands tighter. "Are you -- can
you do it?" 

Christy's stomach lurched as she thought about what
Neil was asking her to do. How could she do it? She
had barely withstood Little Burl's surgery. This was a
hundred times worse. Neil was not going to drain an
infected wound or stitch up an incision; he was going
to cut off a young man's leg. Christy's vivid
imagination led her along a gruesome path. Scalpel.
Forceps. Flesh. Muscle. Saw. Bone. She grimaced. 
Maybe when Dr. Ferrand arrived he could help...

Then she looked up into Neil's pleading eyes, and she
saw not a doctor in search of a nurse, but a man faced
with a hellish duty, a man who desperately needed her
-- her support, her encouragement, her strength --
everything she could give him.  

"Yes, Neil," she finally said, gripping his hand.
"Yes, I can do it." 

****

Hand-in-hand, Dr. MacNeill and Christy entered
Frederick's room. The boy was staring out the window,
but it was obvious he was not seeing the breathtaking
mountain landscape. His eyes mirrored a dark, shadowy,
realm, a world no one else could see. 

"Frederick," Neil said, going over to the bed and
sitting down on the edge. "Miss Huddleston tell me
you've decided to let me--" 

"Cut off my leg," Frederick finished, his voice
monotone, eyes fixed straight ahead. 

With a bit of apprehension, the doctor spoke again. "I
think it would be best, lad, if I operate today."
Frederick's brows knit as he processed this
information, but he said nothing. Neil continued, "I
know it's sudden, but with gangrene..." 

"Go ahead," Frederick said. "I'm not going to be any
more ready to lose my leg later than I am now." 

Christy helplessly watched the scene playing out
before her. Frederick had built a sturdy wall around
himself in such a short time she was amazed. But this
was a boy accustomed to pain and masking his feelings.
 

Neil, on the other hand, was struggling tremendously
with all of this. Christy knew that part of him was
blaming God -- the unfeeling, merciless god Neil
thought Him to be. She knew Neil felt that he was
depriving a young man of all his hopes and dreams by
being the one to perform the surgery.   

"Frederick," said Christy, taking charge of the
situation. She sat down on the edge of the bed.
"Frederick, look at me." 

Frederick could not refuse her gentle demand. He
looked up, meeting her gaze. 

"You mustn't try to hide your feelings. It won't help
you any to keep everything bottled up inside of you
with all you have to face." Her eyes were pleading.
"Tell us what's on your mind; you can trust
us---Doctor MacNeill and me." 

Immediately, Frederick burst into tears. It was not
just a few drops trickling down his sallow cheeks; his
entire body was wracked with wrenching sobs from deep
within. 

"I'm scared," he managed to say. "I'm so scared --
never been so scared in my life." 

"It's all right, lad," Neil said, laying a reassuring
hand on the boy's shoulder. "It's all right." 

"I know you're worried about what's going to happen to
you after--" Christy began. 

Frederick shook his head. "No, Miss Christy, I'm not
scared of that any more." He managed a small smile.
"How could I be after what you said? You make the
worst things in the world look not so bad. You said
just what my mama would've said. You even talked about
God like she talked -- I mean talks -- about Him." His
voice dropped to a low, melancholy pitch. "I'm just
scared of how it's going to hurt." 

"I'll not lie to you," Neil said, "it will hurt. You
won't feel anything during the surgery -- you'll be
asleep -- but after you wake up, it'll hurt like the
devil, and you're welcome to cry and yell and scream
all you like, if that makes you feel any better. But I
promise you, after a while, it will feel much better
than it does now." 

"Well, yeah."  Frederick's mouth turned into a wry
grin. "There won't be anything there to hurt." A
chuckle escaped his lips, and the doctor tousled his
hair. 

Almost as quickly as the smile had come, however,
Frederick's dark eyes grew distant and brooding. 

"Doctor, sir--" he said timidly. "Could I die?" 

"We've told you that without the operation--" 

"No," said Frederick. "I mean, could I die even if you
do the surgery?" 

Neil nodded, his face set in grim lines. "Yes, you
could. There's always that possibility, in any kind of
surgery. Things don't always go as planned..." 

"But you don't need to worry about dying, Frederick,"
Christy said. "I've seen Doctor MacNeill save more
lives than I can count. He is a good doctor, not in
the habit of losing his patients." She smoothed the
bedclothes and cast Neil a sidelong glance. "And old
habits die hard." 

Ah, but I have lost patients, Neil thought, then
quickly shoved aside the notion. He felt as if his
soul were smiling. Christy had such faith in him and
his skill. It took all his restraint not to sweep the
young woman into his arms. 

Frederick's voice pulled Neil back to the present, and
once again the boy was grave.  "Miss Christy, could I
write a letter to my mama -- just in case I die? I'd
hate for her never to hear of me again." 

"Yes, Frederick, you may write her." Christy quickly
went to her room to find pen and paper. 

Minutes later, when Frederick had finished his letter
and handed it to Christy in a sealed and addressed
envelope, he said, "Miss Christy, you've got to
promise me something. This is the address of my home.
Send it only if I die. But you've got to swear you
won't write or anything if I come out all right.  If
you did, my daddy'd track me down and make me go back.
And I can't go back -- not even for mama." 

****

Frederick lay in his room, which was now stripped of
all furniture but the hard table on which he lay and
another table, which held Dr. MacNeill's surgical
instruments. The boy watched intently as the doctor
and Miss Christy carefully sterilized the gleaming
tools. There were so many, and some with cruel-looking
points. These were going to cut into his leg.

Dr. MacNeill's voice broke the death-like silence.
"We're almost ready, Frederick. Are you?" 

Frederick nodded. He had grown remarkably calm --
eerily calm -- about the surgery. In fact, he wasn't
even thinking about the operation. But wriggling a
little on the uncomfortable table, Frederick had a
fluttery feeling in his stomach.  

His mothers eyes, black as the blackest midnight,
gazed down at him as she held him in her lap.  

"Freddie boy," she said, slightly trilling her r's in
that curious accent of hers. "Freddie, don't ever tell
a falsehood--" She laughed her musical laugh, and her
golden hoop earrings jangled. "At least not to someone
who has helped you. Really, I would prefer you not
tell a falsehood to anyone. But especially not to one
who has been good to you. You may think that a
falsehood will protect you, but in the end, it's
better to have told the truth at the beginning." With
mock-sternness, she said, "Promise me that, my little
Freddie." 

Frederick had promised, and ever since he was a very
little boy, he had kept that promise. He would never
break a promise to his mother. So why was he thinking
of this now? He had not told a lie to anyone. Yet the
the more he thought about how safe he felt at the
mission and how nice Miss Christy and Dr. MacNeill
were, the feeling in his stomach as he recalled his
mother's words would not go away.  

"My Freddie boy, I want also for you to remember that
half-truths are just as bad as falsehoods. They're
both the devil's talk. Don't be a devil, my Freddie
boy." 

Christy had noticed his anxious squirming. His eyes
were shifty, darting about the room. She squeezed
Frederick's hand, stroked his hair away from his face,
and kissed his forehead. 

Miss Christy was so nice and gentle. Her soft hands
were like his mothers, only his mother was
dark-complected... 

Dr. MacNeill handed Christy a white cloth.  

"Frederick, Miss Christy's going to hold this cloth
over your mouth and nose. I just want you to relax and
take deep breaths." 

As Christy moved to do as the doctor instructed,
Frederick suddenly jerked upright, breathing rapidly. 


"Miss Christy, I told you a falsehood!" 

Christy just stared at the boy, as did Neil. 

"Miss Christy, I wrote that letter for you to send to
my mama if I died. Well, that's kind of a habit of
mine. I always write letters to mama, only I never
send them. Don't know why I told you to send that one,
only I wanted to... I thought..." Frederick's voice
rose to a frantic pitch. "It was a falsehood, Miss
Christy -- I don't have a mama!" 


== == == == == == == == == == ==
Chapter 10

"It's okay Freddie." Christy took him in her arms and
hugged him. His feverish ear lay against her cheek.
She rocked him back and forth like a baby that would
not fall asleep. "It's going to be okay, Freddie." 

Frederick closed his eyes and rested his chin on
Christy's shoulder. "My mama is dead," he finally
said, still in Christy's arms. "She's been dead about
a year now." He kept his eyes closed, but the tears
still managed to flow from beneath his dark lashes and
bathe his cheeks. 

Christy pulled away to look at him. Bright sunlight
poured in through the window, lighting Frederick's
dispirited face. His eyes were a deep brown, like rich
soil. She wanted so much to take his pain away. The
poor boy had suffered so much. The bright sunlight
seemed such a sharp contrast to the events that were
taking place. 

"Freddie, your mother is watching over you right now.
She has probably already read your letter -- it's your
way of talking to her. I understand that." She took a
strip of cloth that had been intended as a bandage and
wiped away his tears. "Your mother is not going to let
anything happen to you." Christy pushed his bangs from
his face and smiled at him.

Frederick's square chin quivered slightly. He looked
at Neil and then back at Christy.  "Miss Christy," he
said. "If I should die. I would like for you to have
my letter." Fredrick lay back down on the table. "And
in my bag, you'll find a set of water colors, some
pencils, and a sketch book. They were my mama's. She
liked to sketch. I would like for you to have those
too." He smiled a sad smile with his lips tucked in.
He sat up again with great effort.

Christy watched as he ran his fingers over his long
leg, studying every contour. He wiggled his toes --
even though it obviously pained him to do so. Then he
looked up at Neil. "I'm ready now, Doctor MacNeill. I
am ready." Then he lay back down. 

Neil took a deep breath and poured more ether into the
white cloth, then handed it to Christy. 

She accepted it knowingly and without words. "Okay
Freddie. I'm going to hold this over your nose and
mouth. You just breathe normally. I want you to
remember that Neil and I are here with you, and God is
here with you."  She pressed the cloth to his face.
When Frederick had lost consciousness, Christy's hands
began to shake. The task that lay ahead terrified her.


"Please God, please give me the strength to make it
through this surgery," she said to herself. 

****

"Okay Miss Huddleston, this is it. The instruments are
ready. You should probably wash your hands one more
time in that basin." 

Christy scrubbed her hands the way he'd taught her
when Little Burl had surgery. 

"That's fine," he said. "Now, I need you to stand here
beside me." Neil stood over Frederick's right leg. His
back was to the window. 

Christy walked over and stood at Neil's right side. A
white bowl of sterilized instruments lay in front of
her. She swallowed hard when she noticed the huge saw.
"I'm ready, Doctor." 

Neil took Frederick's leg in his hands and held it
high in the air. "We have to elevate the leg for
several minutes to drain the blood," he explained. He
looked at his watch to track the time. 

Even for the short time he'd known him, Neil had grown
to care about Frederick. He admired the boy's bravery.
Frederick had saved Ruby Mae's life, and the thought
of taking his leg made Neil physically ill.  But there
was no choice in the matter now; it had to be done.
Poor Christy, he could not begin to think what this
would do to her. But he could not think about that
now. He had to focus. He had to separate emotion from
his work. He needed every ounce of strength and skill
that he owned to save Frederick's life.

He looked at his watch again; the time was up. He
rested Frederick's foot against his chest to hold it
up while he tied a tourniquet just above the boy's
thigh. "The gangrene is in his calf. We have to cut
high enough -- into the healthy tissue -- so that we
get all the gangrene." Then he placed the leg back on
the table. 

Neil looked at Christy. He searched her eyes for the
strength that he hoped she had. The strength that he
knew she'd need to make it through the surgery. Her
eyes were steady and unblinking -- in them, he found
the strength that he'd hoped for. He took one more
deep breath and then held out his hand. "Scalpel." 
His voice was deep and serious. 

He carefully made the first incision on one side of
the boy's leg. "Clamp." He called. He placed the clamp
to hold back the rectangular flap of skin that he had
created. He proceeded to make the same incision on the
other side of Frederick's leg. "Clamp." Christy had
the instruments in his hand before he could finish the
word. 

Neil's hands moved deliberately and steadily. Blood in
massive amounts covered him and the sheet beneath
Frederick's leg. He quickly tied the femoral artery,
and then tied the vein to stop the bleeding.
"Retractor." Neil carefully separated the muscles from
the bone and divided them with circular cuts. "We're
lucky," he said. "We cut high enough. All this tissue
is healthy -- no gangrene." 

****

The flaps of skin were clamped back as if they were
some kind of peeling. Looking at the exposed spongy
tissue and dark muscle mass inside made Christy's face
feel hot. She could see the white bone beneath. She
worried about the blood loss. She continued to take
even, deep breaths, which sustained her. But nothing
had prepared her for what happened next. 

"Saw," Neil called out. He looked at her as she handed
him the instrument. She knew her eyes were red and
worried. 

He gripped the instrument in his hand and turned back
to Frederick. Then he began to saw through the bone. 

The sound. The sound was more than Christy could bear.
It was a grating, teeth-grinding hiss. She watched
Neil's arm move back and forth, back and forth. The
blood, her hot face, the brilliant sunlight, and the
sound consumed her. She said silent prayers, over and
over. When Neil finished sawing, she was surprised to
find that she was still standing. Neil had streaks and
dribbles of sweat all over his face; even his neck and
arms glistened with it. Christy took a towel and
dabbed it against Neil's forehead, cheeks, and chin. 

He handed her the bloody saw. "You're doing fine, Miss
Huddleston. Very well." He said this with confidence,
but she was sure he could see the effect the surgery
had on her.  Yet she still clutched the strength that
she had found earlier. 

Christy looked down at Frederick's leg. It lay there
on the table, completely unattached now. An entity all
its own, no longer part of the bleeding boy. The toes
were still pink and full of life. Blood covered the
knee. Neil picked the leg up from the table, and for
the first time Christy felt faint. With her hands on
the table, she supported her weight. Heat crawled over
her skin in waves, but she steadied herself. Her
fingers tingled. She watched Neil wrap the leg in a
sheet and lay it aside. 

Back at the table, Neil rounded off the bone. He
collected the threaded needle from Christy's shaking
hands and sutured the muscles together over and around
the end of the bone. He unclamped the flaps of skin,
pulled them around the end of the bone, and stitched
them closed with neat, small stitches. Christy
marveled at Neil's skill and concentration. His gentle
hands worked miracles. She helped him apply the
bandages. 

"We have to splint the leg and then we're finished,"
he said.  He glanced at her again and she knew he was
trying to decide if she appeared steady enough to make
it through to the end.  She tried to look brave.  Neil
splinted the leg quickly and then washed his hands in
the water basin. 

Christy hadn't moved from her position. She stood
fixed and staring. She felt Neil's hand grip her elbow
and pull her away from the table. 

"It's over, lass, why don't you come sit down for a
minute."  He guided her to a chair that had been
pushed against the wall. 

She sat down, and Neil knelt beside her. "You did
wonderfully, Christy, I'm proud of you. Thank you for
your help." He squeezed her arm tenderly. 

Christy nodded distantly; then her brow creased, and
she looked at Neil. "Will he be okay?" 

"He's not out of danger. He's lost a lot of blood, and
we'll have to watch for infection, but he should make
it." 

She sighed heavily. 

****

David and Dr. Ferrand had driven along the French
Broad River and over the first big incline toward
Cutter Gap.  Dr. Ferrand bombarded David with
questions. He asked about Miss Alice's condition and
the boy, Frederick. Where had Frederick come from? How
did he get to Cutter Gap? How had Alice developed an
ulcer? With every question that David answered,
Ferrand responded with another question. 

David had always been slightly nervous around Ferrand,
and the constant questions compromised David's
concentration. At the mud hole, he failed to notice
that the mud extended beyond its normal reach. The
spring rains had been heavy. He didn't steer the wagon
wide enough, and the wheels on Dr. Ferrand's side sank
deep into the goopy mud. 

"We don't have time for this, Grantland! Doctor
MacNeill needs my help right now, especially if Alice
is ill." 

"I know, I know. I didn't run into the mud on purpose,
you know." David frowned. "You drive." He handed the
reins to Dr. Ferrand. "I'll get out and push." 

David hopped down from the wagon and slopped through
the mud to the back of the wagon. "Okay, when I push,
you press the horses forward." 

David pushed with all his might. The wheels splashed
mud into his face and hair and covered his white shirt
as the wagon lurched forward out of the mud hole. When
David looked down, he saw that his boots were immersed
in the thick, sucking mud. He untucked his shirt and
wiped his face with the clean shirttail.  When he
opened his eyes, he noticed that people came out from
the trees and surrounded them. Where had they come
from? Who were they? They were certainly not from the
cove. David didn't recognize any of them. 

"David?" Dr. Ferrand asked with apprehension. 

The people wore odd clothing -- some of the men had
earrings. One tall man with dark brown hair approached
them.


== == == == == == == == == == ==

Chapter 11


Neil paced through the dining room, stopping
frequently to stare out the window at the strange
collection of people and animals milling about the
mission yard.  His eyes saw them, but his mind
rebelled at what David Grantland and Dr. Ferrand were
saying.  He turned to face the two men and Christy,
all sitting at the table.

"Gypsies!" he exploded.  "What in blazes are gypsies
doing in Cutter Gap!"

David, with dried mud caked on his clothes, face and
hands, looked just as stunned.  "They say they're
passing through on their way further south, looking
for county fairs, carnivals, or any place where they
can find work."  He anticipated the doctor's next
question.  "They're blacksmiths, metal workers, horse
traders."

Dr. Ferrand sharply corrected him.  "Tinkers and
vagabonds, you mean.  And maybe thieves.  That man
Reny, who calls himself their king, says they were in
Boston last fall, and have traveled through the
country since then.  Can you imagine such a life!"

"If they think there's money to be made here, they're
fools," said Neil.  "What do they want in Cutter Gap?"

"I don't know," answered Dr. Ferrand, "and I don't
trust them."

David seemed nettled by the older man's harshness, but
kept his voice even.  "Reny said they just want to
camp here for a while until they move further south. 
They're willing to barter.  He offered to do any kind
of work for us at the mission."

"No, that wasn't what he said," said Dr. Ferrand.  

As Dr. Ferrand and David disagreed over the gypsy's
words, Neil glanced at Christy, who'd been silent
through the whole conversation.  She was staring
blankly at the doorway, oblivious to the heated
discussion around her.  He immediately guessed that
she was reliving the recent surgery.

He seated himself at her side and covered her hands as
they lay clasped on the table.  "Christy?  Are you
feeling ill?"

She snapped out of her reverie and smiled weakly at
him.  "I was thinking about Freddie."

The sound of her voice silenced the argument between
the two ministers.  Dr. Ferrand asked in a more
restrained tone, "You did the amputation, Doctor?" 
Neil nodded his head slightly.  "How far had the
gangrene spread?"

Neil kept one hand protectively over Christy's, and
rested the other on the back of her chair.  "I removed
the right leg just above the knee.  The lad will be in
danger for several days, but he has a good chance to
recover, thanks to Miss Huddleston's help."  Neil's
eyes returned to her face, wishing he could promise
her that Frederick would be all right.

"And how is Alice?"

"She has a bleeding ulcer, and must be kept in bed for
at least another week.  She seems to be mending, but
she hasn't been very cooperative."

Ruby Mae, who'd been following the discussion from the
safety of the stairway, chimed in with, "No sir, that
she hasn't!  But she was real good to me this mornin'
when I was afeared about Frederick, an' she prayed
with me.  Made me feel a whole lot easier in my mind."

Dr. Ferrand glanced at the girl severely at first, but
relaxed into a grudging smile by the end of her words.
 "Well, it sounds as though Alice Henderson is feeling
like herself."

Neil's eye was caught by the flash of a gold earring
outside.  "Are you seriously considering letting
them--" he jerked his thumb toward the yard "--stay
here?"

"I don't see how we could get rid of them if we wanted
to, Doctor MacNeill.  I counted twenty-one men, women
and children, and there may be more.  They claim to be
peaceful.  I can only hope they really are."

"Can you image what will happen when Ault Allen gets a
look at them?  Or Bird's Eye?  The news has probably
spread through the whole Cove by now.  You've got a
powder keg on your hands, man."  Neil rose abruptly. 
"I'm going to check on Frederick."

Christy reached out and caught his sleeve.  "I'd like
to come, too."

Neil's frown disappeared instantly.  "Yes, of course."
 He stood aside for Christy, and ushered her to the
stairs with a gentle hand on her back.

When Dr. MacNeill and Christy were gone, Dr. Ferrand
stalked to the window and glared out.  "Well, David,"
he said as he hooked his thumbs in his vest pockets,
"we'd better deal with this gypsy king.  We're going
to have to watch them very closely."  He turned at the
door and saw that the young preacher hadn't stirred
from his seat yet.  "Are you coming?" 

David set his two hands on the table, took a deep
breath, and looked up at his director.  "Dr. Ferrand,"
he said, "we ought to invite Reny inside, and give him
something cool to drink.  It's not courteous to keep
him standing outside in the yard."  When Dr. Ferrand
didn't respond, David continued.  "And we haven't
offered them the use of our pump, or the pond water
for their animals.  I'm just as shocked by all this as
everyone else, sir.  We certainly should be cautious. 
But it's not right to treat them badly because we find
them odd."

Dr. Ferrand stared at David with an irritated
expression.  Finally he sighed heavily and rubbed his
beard. "You're right, of course.  I'm sorry, David. 
It's simply unbelievable that gypsies should find
their way here.  Cutter Gap, of all places!  I'll ask
Reny to come in.  Ruby Mae," he added, looking up at
the stairway, "will you prepare something for us and
Mr. Reny to drink?"

"Yessir, I'll git it ready, but I cain't stay in the
room with no gypsy.  Ever'body know gypsies kidnap
folks!"

****

Christy stood at the doctor's shoulder as he examined
the bandaged stump.  She found it hard to believe that
this promising young man no longer had a right leg. 
Everything had happened so quickly!  How long ago was
it that Neil had pounded on the door and introduced a
sad and tired runaway?

The doctor leaned back and looked up at Christy. 
"There doesn't seem to be excessive bleeding, but it's
hard to tell how he'll progress.  He'll have to be
watched carefully, Miss Huddleston.  It'll be a long
time before he can begin to approach a normal life
again.  He's going to need you."

She nodded somberly, still gazing at Frederick's
unconscious form.  "Doctor MacNeill," she began, and
then turned her eyes fully on him.  "I was so
frightened while you were -- during the operation. 
But now -- now I see that what's coming will be even
harder for Freddie."  

"Yes, it will."

"I feel so helpless.  How will I be able to help him? 
Just a few days ago I was making plans to re-open
school, but now with poor Freddie like this, and Miss
Alice sick, and with those people here..."  Christy
stretched out her hand to fondle the boy's hair. "I
feel so helpless."

"Christy," Neil said softly.  She didn't answer, but
continued to stroke Frederick's head.  Neil rose and
stood beside her.  "I've come to care for the lad,
too.  I don't know if he'll be all right -- but I do
know that meeting you was the best thing that could
have happened to him."  

She finally looked up, and was surprised at the
earnest admiration she saw in his eyes.

****

"Psst!  Over here, Zady!"  Ruby Mae called in a
whisper that was loud enough to be heard across the
yard.  Zady Spencer and her sister Clara glanced
cautiously at the gypsies, and then dashed from the
Mission house to the school.  They joined Ruby Mae and
the crowd of children inside the schoolroom, peeking
out at the camp in the meadow below.

"Did they see ya?" asked Creed Allen.  "If ya look 'em
in the eye, they kin make ya do whatever they says. 
An' if ya drink their gypsy brew, they'll turn ya into
a goat!"

Zady glanced out at the colorful jumble of people,
animals, tents and wagons.  "How kin that be?  They're
talkin' to Doctor Ferrand and the Preacher right now,
ain't they?"  She looked at Creed skeptically.  "They
cain't make Doctor Ferrand do their will, nor turn
nobody into a goat!"

Sam Houston tapped her on the arm.  "Doctor Ferrand
didn't want 'em to stay, but here they are -- for
three whole days now."  He and Creed nodded solemnly. 
"They put a spell on 'im, for sure."

"That ain't so, Sam Houston," said Ruby Mae.  "They
cain't put no spell on a man of God, don't ya know?"

"Look!"  The argument was interrupted by the sight of
Bob Allen with his rifle in hand, and his son Rob,
leading their horse toward the gypsies.  The children
crowded around the doorway, still afraid to be seen,
but bursting with curiosity.

Creed moaned. "They got my Daddy and Rob!"  He put his
arm about Little Burl as their father talked to two of
the men.  They children stared agape as the men calmly
patted the horse's neck, examined one of its hoofs and
then led it to another part of their camp, still
talking to Mr. Allen and Rob.

So enthralled were they that no one noticed David
Grantland approaching.  "What are you children doing?"
 They all jumped and shrieked at his voice.

"Oh Lordy, Preacher!" gasped Ruby Mae, "we nearly died
of fright!  You cain't be sneakin' up on a body like
that!"

Little Burl's worried voice caught David's attention. 
"Preacher?  Did them gypsies put a spell on my Daddy
and Rob?"

David knelt beside the boy.  "Of course not, Burl! 
Your father and brother are perfectly fine.  One of
the gypsy men has set up a forge, and your father
brought your horse for a new shoe."  He looked around
sternly at the group of children.  "It's not right for
you to be spying on these people.  Why don't you all
get on home now."  The children cautiously slipped out
the side door in pairs, holding hands and avoiding the
gypsy camp as they left.

****

That evening, Dr. MacNeill sat beside Alice's bed,
reporting on the gypsies and the mountain folk.  "At
least they're not terrified now," he said.  "Parents
thought their children would be kidnapped, or that
animals and property would disappear.  I didn't think
it was possible, but Reverend Grantland's done a good
job of keeping the peace."

Alice smiled confidently.  "The Lord gives strength
and grace when we need it most.  I only wish I was
able to be of assistance to him and Miss Huddleston."

The doctor's eyes flashed.  "You're not to get out of
this bed until I say so, Alice.  You know you're not
well enough, and a relapse would only make it harder
on Christy."

"You needn't worry, Doctor.  Between you and Jacob, I
wouldn't get a foot outside the door.  But I know
Christy's hardly rested these past days, tending to
Frederick and myself.  How is your young patient?"

Neil stood and placed the chair against the wall. 
"He's in great pain, even with the morphine.  He's
been very brave -- the lad hasn't complained, but he
needs constant care."  He sighed.  "Christy will run
herself ragged, but I can't let anyone else in his
room until the danger of infection's past."

Alice looked at him steadily.  "She has cared for
others selflessly.  It's time for her to be served."

The doctor thought for a moment, nodded, and then
stepped out into the hall.  As he quietly closed her
door behind him, he noticed Christy leaning wearily
against the doorpost of Frederick's room.  His heart
went out to her.

Christy pressed her fingers against the bridge of her
nose, as though trying to smooth away the ache. 
"Christy."  Her eyes flew open at the doctor's low
voice.  She stood straight as he approached, asking
softly, "Going in or coming out?"

She smiled wryly.  "It's becoming hard to remember,
Doctor."  He saw her color rising as he stood close
and studied her face intently.  "I'm -- I'm going to
read to him for a while," she said, flustered by his
steady, compassionate gaze.

As Christy reached for the doorknob, Neil caught her
hand.  "Wait a minute."  He cautiously opened the door
a few inches to allow them both to peek in.  Frederick
was asleep.  He pulled the door closed again,
whispering, "Come with me now, Christy.  I need you
downstairs."  

"Well, I--"

"We'll both come back later and sit with him, I
promise."  Keeping a firm grip on her hand, he led her
downstairs.

They stepped out onto the porch, and Neil guided
Christy to the rocking chair.  "Wait here for me." 
She looked at him questioningly, but he only smiled
mysteriously.  "I won't be long," he said, and then
disappeared into the kitchen.

The sun had just disappeared behind the mountains, and
the warmth of the day still lingered.  Christy gazed
out toward the pond, where many of the gypsies had
gathered.  She could hear the sounds of musical
instruments, as though they were tuning them up. 
Christy hadn't paid any attention to them in the three
days since they arrived.   She realized that she'd
hardly stepped outside the house.  The sight of their
dark-haired children running and playing in the tall
grass brought a smile to her lips.

Christy took deep breaths, and finally felt her
muscles begin to relax.  She looked up with a
surprised smile as Neil reappeared, carrying a tray
with two steaming cups and a plate of Fairlight's
shortbread.  "Is this what you needed my help for,
Doctor?" 

Neil set the tray down on the table beside her, and
then drew up a chair close to hers.  He grinned as he
handed her a cup of coffee.  "I need you to keep up
your strength, Miss Huddleston, and to get enough
rest, and to enjoy this beautiful sunset with me." 
They both turned to gaze at the glowing sky.

The gypsies began to sing.  Neil and Christy found
their spirits lifted as the strange, lovely mixture of
mournful and exuberant sounds reached their ears.

They listened to one song after another, content to be
silent, absorbing the peaceful calm of the evening. 
Once in a while she turned to look at him, finding his
eyes already on her.  She didn't blush now, but
returned his warm smile steadily.

As the dusk was deepening, they noticed an old woman
approaching from the camp in the meadow.  She stopped
a few yards from the porch and called out politely,
"Good evening to you, Miss.  Good evening, sir."  When
they had returned the greeting, she pointed at Neil. 
"Are you the doctor?"  Neil nodded.  "I've been
wanting to talk to you, sir."


== == == == == == == == == == ==

Chapter 12


Neil and Christy eyed the older woman curiously. 
Dressed in a blue blouse and skirt, with a necklace of
gold coins hung around her neck, she held herself
proudly, her age not evident in her erect stature. 
Unflinchingly she returned Neil's intense gaze,
obviously accustomed to such close scrutiny.  After a
few silent moments, she spoke again.

"They tell me that there is sickness inside your
Mission.  A boy?  He is not well, they say.  You had
to remove his leg, no?  Is he better?"  Her voice was
deep and punctuated with an accent that Neil nor
Christy recognized.  

Christy shivered unconsciously at the frank assessment
the gypsy woman made of Freddie's condition.  She had
tried to push the memory of the operation out of her
mind, but the dreadful sawing echoed in her head,
drowning out all other thoughts.  Freddie was alone in
the world.  His mother was dead, he'd left his home
and an abusive father, and now he'd lost his leg. 
Sometimes the cruelty of life in the mountains was
more than she thought she could bear.  Without
thinking, she tightly gripped the arm of the chair,
her knuckles growing white with the pressure.

Neil glanced over at Christy and placed a comforting
hand on her shoulder, resting it there for a moment
before turning and addressing the gypsy woman.

"Yes, I had to amputate, but I'm hopeful he'll improve
now that there's no remaining gangrene."

Christy wondered if his words were intended to
reassure her as much as the gypsy.  Neil knew that
she'd grown fond of the young runaway.  As with Little
Burl, Christy had overcome her fears to help a child,
but once the operation was complete, all bravery
vanished and she crumpled like a discarded rag doll,
bearing the gravity of the situation as much as any
worried parent.

The woman did not seem satisfied with his response and
approached the porch, mounting the stairs until she
stood directly before Neil and Christy.  Her eyes
intense and filled with purpose she responded, "I'm
certain that you have done the best you know how, but
I'd like to see if I may be of some help."

Neil recoiled at her blunt, self-confident remark. 

She noticed the color rise in his cheeks, smiled
softly and backed up several paces until she was
leaning against the porch railing.

"I'm sorry, sir.  I did not mean to offend you.  We
Roma believe that prikaza, illness you call it, is
unnatural.  Perhaps I am too late to help save the
boy's leg, but you are still concerned about him,
yes?"

Christy could see that, despite the gypsy's soothing
words, Neil was becoming angry. He rose and was about
speak when Christy stopped him.

"Neil," she said, her voice weak from exhaustion,
"please.  You said that you've done everything you
could for Freddie and that we have to wait to make
sure that there's no infection.  I've tried to be
strong, but I'm worried.  He's been through so much." 
Her voice faded as large tears welled in her eyes. 
"Please, Neil, let's hear what she has to say.  What
can it hurt," she pleaded, ignoring the salty torrent
now streaking her face.

Neil shook his head sadly.  "I'm sorry," he said,
again taking his seat.  "What exactly do you have in
mind?"

"There are herbs, sastarimaskodrabar we call them in
Romani, that have medicinal properties, as well as
supernatural ones," the gypsy said.  

Growing up in the Cove, Neil knew all about mountain
remedies and herbal concoctions.  Yet while they had
their place in healing, their primary value, Neil
believed, was psychological -- a placebo effect. 
Nevertheless, he would have known of any possible
preventative for infection.  There was none that he
felt would prove effective.  They all had moderate
success in treating minor infections, but a systemic
one such as gangrene was beyond the scope of Granny
Barclay's herbal knowledge.

The woman smiled, as if sensing Neil's skepticism. 
"There is a special blood-cleansing tea, we Roma use. 
I have the things I would need in the wagon and if you
would allow me to treat the boy, perhaps it might
help, sir."

Christy's blue eyes searched Neil's face, waiting for
his answer.  She knew that Neil would not easily
relinquish Freddie to the care of some stranger, and a
gypsy woman at that!

He glanced at Christy, who was quietly wringing her
hands.  He shrugged his shoulders and responded
tiredly, "Ok, I can't fight both of you.  What do you
suggest, Mrs.--"  He paused as he realized neither he
nor Christy even knew this woman's name.

"Nadia," she answered with a smile.  "Just Nadia will
be fine."  

Neil offered her his hand, "I'm Neil MacNeill, and
this is Miss Christy Huddleston, the mission's
teacher.  The young boy only recently came to the
Mission and was bitten by a timber rattlesnake."  

****

As they followed the woman down the stairs and into
the yard toward the wagons and makeshift camp, Nadia
told Neil about the tea she would prepare.  

"Artichoke leaves," he responded in surprise.  "Where
in the blazes do you find artichoke leaves?"

"We dry them whenever we can find them and take them
with us." She offered no more information.

Neil remembered that David had mentioned that the
gypsies were in Boston last fall.  Perhaps they found
them there.

They continued to discuss herbal remedies as she
prepared the tea, grinding up a bit of dandelion root
and mixing it with the artichoke leaves.  Placing it
in a pot, she added boiling water on top of it and let
it steep.  

As the gypsy worked, Neil glanced around at the group.
 Friendly smiles greeted him and Christy, and pairs of
dark eyes occasionally peered at them from behind the
wagons as the gypsy children watched from afar. 

The tea finished, the three trekked up the mission
stairs, past a bewildered Ruby Mae.  She clutched a
hand to her lips and pressed herself tighter against
the mission walls hoping that she could make herself
invisible.  Despite the preacher's insistence that the
gypsies did not kidnap children and commit other
fiendish acts, Ruby Mae was obviously not convinced.  

"Miz Christy," Ruby Mae whispered, clutching Christy's
skirts as she followed Dr. MacNeill and Nadia up the
stairs toward Frederick's room.  "Wha's that gypsy
lady gonna do to him?" 

Nadia quickly spun around on her heels and glared at
the startled redhead.  "We are not gypsies," she said
indignantly, "we are Roma!  If this young boy did not
need my help, I would tell you our story.  How our
king ruled in India until the Islamic armies hunted us
down and destroyed our country.  Since then we have
traveled the world, always outcast, always hunted by
the Gazho, people who don't understand our ways.  I
would tell you these things -- but later.  Now the boy
needs me."  She turned and continued up the stairs.

Neil glanced at Christy and they both suppressed a
nervous laugh, surprised to see someone leave Ruby Mae
speechless. They quickly followed the gypsy up the
stairs and showed her to Frederick's room.

****

Christy gently shook him awake, "Freddie, there is a
woman here who wants to give you a tea to help you
feel better.  Can you try to sit up to drink?"

The boy nodded wearily as they helped to prop him up
on the pillows and moved aside. As Nadia drew closer,
she whispered all the while in a melodious language,
the same one Christy had heard earlier as the Roma
sang in the yard at dusk.  For a moment, Christy
thought she recognized a flicker in Freddie's eyes, an
acknowledgement perhaps of something that seemed
familiar.  But it quickly vanished, replaced by a
wince of pain as he reached instinctively for his
right leg, which was now no longer there.

A short while later Christy leaned heavily on the
porch railing, staring out into the blackness.  She
leaned her head against the cool logs holding up the
mission's second story and sighed deeply.  Thankfully
Miss Alice appeared to be on the mend.  Perhaps now
with Dr. MacNeill's skillful surgery and Nadia's
mysterious herbal tea, Frederick would also recover. 
She pressed her fingertips against her closed eyes and
rubbed them lightly, hoping to ease the throbbing.  

"I'm afraid nothing with help that but a good night's
rest," said a deep voice behind her.

She turned and smiled weakly. "You're right, Doctor. 
Maybe I should get some rest.  I just want to thank
Nadia for her help first, then I promise I'll go to
sleep."

As she started down the stairs, her knees suddenly
gave way.  In a moment, Neil was at her side,
supporting her weight by wrapping his arm around her
waist.  She blushed furiously, embarrassed at her own
clumsiness and his closeness.

"I'm fine, Doctor, really.  I just caught my heel on a
vine," she said, glancing down at the honeysuckle that
had crept across the tread.

"In any event," Neil said, "I'm not letting you out of
my sight until I have you safely back inside the
Mission and in your room.  I'm not trusting you to
stay away from Freddie's bedside.  You need to take
care of yourself, Christy.  I can't handle another
patient at the moment," he said, his voice concerned
and gentle.

Wandering through the camp, they found Nadia seated
before a small fire.   She motioned for them to join
her on the log she had placed in front of it.  

"Thank you so much for helping Freddie," Christy
began, "You've been here at the Mission for several
days and I hadn't even come outside to welcome you
all."

Nadia smiled, "You were worried about the boy and your
friend, Miss Alice."  

Christy looked at her in amazement.  "How did you know
her name?  We haven't even told you about her or that
she's been sick," she said, her exhaustion momentarily
forgotten.  

Neil let out a big "humph and answered, "She overheard
David or Ruby Mae talking about her.  There is no
other possible explanation." 

Nadia turned and merely smiled at him.  "You do no see
because you fear your heart."  She turned to Christy. 
"There is a thin mist between this world and the one
beyond, but unless you are open to see it and hear it,
it does not exist."  Returning her gaze to Neil, she
said, "If I am wrong, you need not fear, no?"

Past Nadia's probing look, Neil could see Christy's
eager expression and was anxious to prove Nadia wrong,
at least in fortune telling.  

He nodded his consent, and she reached for the
doctor's hand, turning it over so that his palm faced
upward.  Tracing her finger over his palm, she began
slowly, "You have healed many people."

"I'm a doctor."  He gave Christy an I-told-you-so
expression.  

But Nadia was undaunted. "But there were many you
could not heal.  A woman with dark hair and green
eyes, she hurt you, no?"  Neil grew silent, running
his fingers of his other hand through his tousled
hair.  "There was a storm and the river?"

Neil snatched his hand away as if she had burned him
with a coal from the fire and stood up quickly,
interrupting her before she could continue.  "That's
enough!  I thank you for your help with Freddie, but I
will ask you to keep your fortunes to yourself."  He
stormed off back toward the Mission where he had left
Charlie.

Christy remained next to Nadia on the log, confused by
the exchange she had just witnessed.  She wanted to go
after Neil to ask him what was wrong, but she knew
that he was better left alone.  He preferred it that
way, and she didn't intrude.  Her blue eyes searched
Nadia's dark brown ones for answers, but she found
none.  

"Don't fret, child." Nadia patted Christy gently on
the shoulder.  "He will be fine.  He was hurt, but his
heart is healing, although he fights it."

Christy looked at her, confused by her words and by
what she had told Dr. MacNeill.  "I don't understand."


"You will, child.  You will.  He knows that you hold
the key."

"The key?"

"Yes, you have helped him heal.  He is a doctor, but
what was broken in him cannot be cured alone."  Nadia
smiled softly and stood up, brushing the ash from her
skirt.  "You will understand in time, child, and so
will he."  With that, she excused herself with a nod
and disappeared into a nearby wagon.


== == == == == == == == == == ==

Chapter 13


"I need your help, Miss Huddleston.  I can't do this
without you."  Christy and Doctor MacNeill were in the
operating room.  Frederick's frail body lay deathly
still under their hands.

"Scalpel."  Christy turned to get the sharp blade. 
Then, a moment later, "Saw."

The sound was horrible, grating... 

The bone showed now, and the saw cut deeper and
deeper...

Back and forth.

Back and forth.

Suddenly, Frederick's eyes shot open.  His arms began
to flail wildly.  "Miss Christy!" he was screaming her
name in anguish, "Stop, Miss Christy!  Don't take my
leg!"

"Neil!" Christy cried.  "Stop, Neil!  Stop!"

Frederick's screams grew louder and more frantic, but
Doctor MacNeill continued to saw. Christy grabbed
desperately at the doctor's hands, but when he turned
around...

Her own face stared back.

Christy's own blood-curdling scream woke her.  Sweat
ran in torrents down her face and over her body.  Her
hair was plastered to her face, and she breathed in
and out quickly, her heart pumping uncontrollably in
her chest.  She tried to gather her thoughts.  She
could hear rapidly approaching footsteps nearing her
door.  Light flooded her room as the door crashed
open.  Christy could see the form of a bewildered Ruby
Mae, followed by Dr. Ferrand.

"What is this all about?" Dr. Ferrand barked angrily. 
He did not sound happy about having been awakened.

Ruby Mae, eyes wide and red hair wildly reaching in
every direction, hurried to sit on the edge of her
teacher's bed. "Lawsa mercy, Miz Christy! Folks coulda
heered you clear 'cross the Cove!"

Christy smoothed her hair back a bit, and rubbed the
back of her hand across her wet face.  After taking a
deep breath, though her voice shook, she said, "I'm
sorry for waking you both.  I had a--" she swallowed
hard before continuing, "--a bad dream.  It was
nothing--"

Dr. Ferrand looked surprised and annoyed.  "Nothing? 
Young lady, you woke the house with your screaming."

Christy started to protest, but she was worn and
defeated.  "I'm really--"

"I know you're sorry Miss Huddleston, but I firmly
believe that there's more to this than you're letting
on.  Now, it is too late tonight for discussion so
I'll let Ruby Mae stay with you."  When Christy opened
her mouth to speak, he quickly silenced her with,
"That's enough.  You will do as I say so that we can
all go back to bed!  Good Night!" With that, Dr.
Ferrand disappeared as quickly as he had come.

"Well, Miz Christy, I reckon you better scoot over." 
Christy moved to make room in her bed for Ruby Mae.
Though often annoyed by the younger girl's constant
chatter, Christy was thankful for her company tonight.

****

The sun shone a cheerful good morning to the residents
of Cutter Gap and their guests, though few were
feeling very cheerful. Upon arriving at the mission,
Neil found Christy cooking breakfast.  He paused a
moment in the kitchen doorway before calling a hearty,
"Well, good morning, Miss Huddleston!"

Neil strode into the room and seated himself at the
table, feeling refreshed. Christy jumped, and turned
without a smile. "Good morning, Doctor.  There are
people still sleeping." 

"I don't think a little noise in the kitchen will wake
them, Christy," he teased with a smile.

"Don't be too sure, Doctor," she mumbled before
turning back to work.  CRACK!  Christy dumped an egg
into the black iron frying pan.  It sizzled violently
and popped loudly, splattering hot grease onto her
hands.  She didn't seem to notice.  Although the other
occupant of her bed had slept rather comfortably,
Christy had not been able to return to sleep after her
horrific nightmare.

Ruby Mae suddenly flew in through the door. "Mornin'
Miz Christy!" She turned to address the doctor. 
"Mornin' Doc! You here ta look in on Freddie?  Cause
if'n you are, he's awake."

"Ruby Mae."  Dr. MacNeill sounded stern as he stood,
"Haven't Miss Huddleston and I told you not to disturb
Frederick?"

"Yessir, but he weren't sleepin', and he said he
wanted some visitin'."

Dr. MacNeill shook his head in exasperation before
leaving the room to check on Frederick.

As soon as the doctor was out of earshot, Christy
turned to Ruby Mae, wiping her hands on her white
cotton apron.  "Don't tell Doctor MacNeill about last
night.  He has too much else on his mind.  I don't
want to add a silly nightmare." 

Ruby Mae only nodded.

****

Clean bandages lay on a bedside table in perfect reach
of Dr. MacNeill.  Frederick was tired, but his pain
seemed less than the days before.  However, it was
still more than any man should bear, especially a boy
such as Freddie, Neil thought.

"I didn't want to get Ruby Mae in trouble.  I did ask
her to visit me."  The boy looked sad.

"Ruby Mae told us.  She's welcome to visit when you
ask her, but I do not want her wearing you out."

"Doc..." Frederick's voice was barely audible.  Neil
moved closer.  "I heard somethin' last night.  I'm
wonderin' if you might know what it was?"

"What did it sound like?"

"It was like someone screaming... someone real close."

Neil paused.  "I don't know, but I'll find out."
Freddie smiled in gratitude.

When he'd finished with his young patient, Neil headed
back to the kitchen.  He wondered if Christy had heard
the screams Frederick claimed to hear.  It could be a
bad sign if he was hearing screams while asleep or in
a state of delirium. 

Fresh scents of bacon wafted through the house,
drawing its occupants to its source.  Christy's
parents had sent her a side of bacon, which she was
generously sharing with the mission residents.

"Christy," Neil began as he entered the kitchen, "that
bacon smells--"  He stopped mid-sentence, surprised to
see Ruby Mae cooking the prized bacon.

"Howdy, Doc.  Did Freddie tell ya 'bout askin' me ta
visit him this mornin'?"

"Aye.  He did."  Neil looked around.  "Where is Miss
Huddleston?"

Ruby Mae stopped what she was doing and looked
thoughtful for a moment.  "I don't rightly know, but I
think she went to see Miz Spencer."

About this time, Jacob Ferrand joined the breakfast
assembly.  Neil's sharp eyes quickly noticed the same
obvious weariness in the older man that he'd seen in
Christy this morning.

"Is that bacon I smell?" asked Ferrand.

"Christy's family sent it to her," Neil replied.

"Where is Miss Huddleston?" 

"Ruby Mae thinks she went to Fairlight Spencer's.  She
was up early this morning."

Dr. Ferrand looked slightly surprised.  "After her
outburst last night, I would have thought she would
want some sleep this morning."

"Outburst?" 

Ruby Mae quickly interrupted their discussion.  "Who's
ready for bacon?  My!  This looks like one mighty fine
breakfast!  Too bad Miz Alice cain't eat none of it."

"How is Alice?"  Neil asked, forgetting about the
previous topic.

"As well as could be expected."  Both men pulled back
their chairs, scraping them loudly against the wooden
floor.

After the girl had set the food on the table, she
seated herself.  "Miz Christy done ate."

There was a loud creek of the floorboards and the
three turned toward the tall lanky figure of David,
who hurried through the kitchen door.  

"I'm heading down to the Holts' to help put up a
fence.  Christy's bacon looks delicious."  David
bustled around the kitchen, putting together a quick
lunch basket and grabbing a handful of bacon.  Without
a wave or a goodbye, David slipped out the door and
the room was silent again.

"What outburst were you talking about earlier?"  Neil
asked before raising a heaping fork of eggs to his
mouth.  Ferrand gave him a menacing look, and Neil
quickly lowered his hand.

Jacob and Ruby Mae bowed their heads.  "Dear Father in
Heaven, we come before you this day and ask you to
give us strength to do what is right and just.  We ask
for faith and love.  Please bless us one and all and
forgive us our many sins.  Thank you for our food and
many other blessings.  In Christ's Holy name, Amen."  

"Amen," echoed Ruby Mae.  They both raised their heads
and began to eat.

"What outburst were you talking about earlier?"  Neil
repeated.

Ruby Mae's eyes grew wide, but before she could say
anything, Dr. Ferrand spoke.  "Christy woke up
screaming during the night.  Apparently she had a
rather frightening nightmare.  The girl was drenched
in perspiration and looked as if she