Eternal Vigilance

Evan, just 16, slipped quietly away from his family's cabin as the last of the sunset faded from the sky. He was excited to have finally gotten away without being noticed, and eagerly anticipated meeting his friends out beyond the old barn. Someone had said they'd stolen a small keg of beer, and another had bragged he had something good to smoke.

He didn't give a thought to his mother's warning that he was courting trouble, or that some of his friends were taking foolish chances. He didn't want to hear caution or wisdom or anything but the beat of his young blood and the sound of his own drummer. He was all set to fulfill the old maxim that good judgment is mostly a matter of surviving a lot of bad judgment.

Slipping into the gathering quietly, Evan soon realized that few of his friends were present.  Most of these men had come with the traders last year, along with a few drifters that had been taken in last winter, since extra hands were almost always welcome for the unending toil of building their town and getting the necessary work done to feed them all.

He took a mug of beer without qualm, but didn't like the smell of the fat, untidy cigar that was being passed around and handed it to the next person without a pause.

Two of the older men obviously had set themselves up as the "boss" and his second. Some, mostly the younger ones, were actually deferring to them in a manner Evan found disgusting, but he didn't want to give it any thought. The beer was good, and he didn't have any interest in being a toady to anyone, so he figured it didn't affect him.

But soon he realized that most of the conversation was composed of dirty jokes and increasingly vicious slander against Bradshaw and the town. Making an effort to listen more closely through the buzz of the alcohol, Evan soon decided that he didn't like what was going on, but he wasn't really sure just how to extricate himself.

He was glad he'd remained on the edge of the group, and decided to pretend to be drunk. Laying down behind a hay bale, he imitated a soft snore and was gratified to hear the two men who had been closest to him laughing about the kid who couldn't hold his liquor. They moved off, but just as Evan had decided to leave, it occurred to him that he should really listen as long as he could. He hadn't yet formed the idea of telling anyone about what he learned, just had always been one who liked to "know" and often heard more than he was meant to.

The moon rose, and the wolf song in the distant foothills reminded everyone that fall would come soon. The air got cool, and Evan almost fell asleep before he began to hear the real meat of the older men's discussion.

"You as tired as I am of all this goody council stuff and them working us to the bone day in and day out?" Simon, the "boss," was supposedly speaking to his friend, but most of the others gave grunts or words of agreement. "We should just up and take our share and get out of here," he continued.

A few wondered what their "share" might be and, more important, how they would get away if they got their hands on it. This broke down into half a dozen separate conversations, but Simon thumped on a log for their attention. Only a few even thought to consider just where they might go with this loot. Not one of them gave a thought to the fact that they might easily die in the coming winter without the solid backing of a well provisioned community.

The "boss" spoke ever more quietly, and Evan couldn't hear much, but he got the impression that this gang would soon decide on what they would take and how to go about it. He didn't think he needed to stick around any longer, so he very carefully crawled to the far corner of the barn, and then around to the open door. After a long pause to catch his breath and look for any sign of someone watching him, he rose to his feet and softly walked away toward the town.

Suddenly, a very strong, hairy arm grabbed his neck from the back. Stepping back, into the attack as he'd been taught, his elbow connected with the man's solar plexus and he went down without a sound. Turning, he saw his attacker on the ground, breathless and in a daze. He was about to continue to the HQ when a small figure sprang from the dark and hit the man over the head with a stout branch.

Blood spurted everywhere, and Donald was instantly covered with it. His face remained resolute, but he was obviously shocked at the results of his impetuous action. "I thought he was going to kill you!" he said, and tossed the branch aside.

"Come on!" Evan whispered frantically, "We've got to warn Mr. Bradshaw and Dad. Putting words into action, he grabbed his brother's arm and they both dashed down the path. "You go wake Dad," Evan commanded, "I'll get Mr. Bradshaw and the sheriff.

Donald vanished into the gloom between the buildings just as Evan began to pound on the HQ side door that led to the Bradshaw quarters. A light came on instantly, and he was glad to see that Mutt was there too. They urged him to get his breathing under control, and then listened carefully to everything he said without any interruption.

Mutt spoke quietly into the hand held radio, and nodded to Roger as he went out. Charlie arrived a few moments later and, after indulging in one "I'll speak to you later" look at Evan, departed to join his militia company.

Roger thanked the young man for the information, and then suggested he might want to go home and reassure his mother since Donald's bloody condition was apt to have upset her. Evan just nodded and went out, briefly thinking about his father's probable reaction... but mostly processing a lot of other things like his growing rebellion - previously justified as just being independent - and how all that was apt to relate to his application for adult status. He hadn't really given it much thought before, and now he was worried.

Donald was already in bed when Evan came in, and he was glad that his mother didn't say anything except suggest he follow suit after she heard a little of his adventures. He had expected tears or scolding, and was humbled by her warm hug and look of patient understanding as he followed his little brother into the loft where they slept.
*****

Mutt and the militia had called on sheriff Richard to help round up the malcontents that night. The man who had been hit was gone, but the trail of blood led them to a corner of the old barn and a stranger who had a heck of a headache. He was in no condition to resist, and only a few of the others managed to slip away. Mutt and Richard conferred on the best way to contain the men, and decided just to take their names and descriptions before letting them go. They could not determine who had stolen the beer, and the only other actual crime committed had been the attack on Evan, so the bloody stranger was the only one locked in an empty shed for the rest of the night.

The news passed quickly through the community and soon came word that a special shareholder's meeting was to be held late that afternoon. All of the men who had been apprehended behind the barn were asked to attend and informed that failure to appear would result in automatic expulsion from the community. Some of the older men packed their personal property and left with Simon in his dilapidated old pickup after they were warned never to return for any reason.

Roger had communicated by radio with Daniel in East Valley. He had agreed to come to the meeting because his people were involved. Mutt had spread the word to all of the other towns around about the undesirables that might be headed their way.

The sound system was set up on the stage at the fairgrounds, the old hay field used for various community functions. There was not a single building large enough to contain even a third of the community now, so everyone was glad that the mild weather was holding.

The council president called them to order, and offered the traditional moment of silence, then gave the microphone to the sheriff. He gave a good summary of the situation and then called Evan and his brother to tell their stories.

Evan was horrified at first, and only a stern look from his father brought him to his feet. But as he mounted the steps to the stage, he realized that this was part of being an adult and he knew that he would never hide behind his family again. He'd waited all day for his father to explode, but nothing had been said - which made it worse. Charlie couldn't have said anything he hadn't said to himself already.

Glossing over his reasons for attending the clandestine gathering, he clearly stated what he had heard, and then all about the attack as he was leaving. He said he knew that Donald had struck a man who was down, but he hoped it could be overlooked because the boy had thought his brother was still in danger.

There were a few questions from sheriff Richard about small details, and one from a council member. Unasked, Evan apologized for his original participation in the ugly affair, and promised to devote the rest of his life to being a responsible member of the community.  Looking at his father just then, Evan was surprised to see the little half smile that marked occasions when he'd especially pleased his parents. He stood up tall then and marched down the steps with a new assertive stride, so unlike the slouched and bored disdain he'd imitated before. Evan didn't realize the change... but it was not lost on anyone else.

With the encouragement of his father and his old friend Bill, Donald then went up and told his story. Over the last few years he'd gotten more comfortable talking to other people, but seeing this many in front of him was almost paralyzing. His big brother had impressed him with his new found maturity, however, and for almost the first time in his life Donald wanted to be just like him. So, he stood up straight and told his story, his young voice breaking as he frankly described his anger and fear when the man had grabbed his brother. Roger questioned him gently and briefly, seeking to make sure the young man knew the difference between defensive action and aggression. Satisfied, he and Bill watched with pride as Donald walked down the steps, doing his best to imitate Evan. Charlie hugged Cathy, and they both displayed suitably modest grins.

Randy, the stranger who had attacked Evan, was brought forward and invited to tell his story. He stood there and glared at Richard and then at the council. "You all think you're so hot," he sneered. "Well, me and the rest of the boys won't forget this little caper."

When it was clear he had no intention of participating honestly, he was removed from the stage to be held in custody by the sheriff. After a sincere discussion of the options, a poll was taken of the shareholders. Banishment or execution were the only options, and they all knew it had to be unanimous. It took four votes, but in the end he was banished and warned never to return.

Then he was turned loose. His surprise was evident, but it didn't take him long to realize that every hand was potentially against him here. He would receive fair treatment, but nobody would have anything more to do with him and they would not hesitate to kill him if he threatened anyone else.

The three young men who belonged to the Bradshaw Ranch community were judged next. They all made abject apologies to everyone and vowed never to participate in such an underhanded affair again. The council took the vote, and all were reinstated. But the boys knew they would be watched for quite a while so it was a seriously sobering experience.

The other six followed Randy's pattern and either sneered or made threats. Only one vote was necessary for the shareholders to expel them all from the community.

A difficulty arose because none of the men had any transportation. Some had come in with Simon, and others with the traders, but none of them had any way to go anywhere else. The council discussed the fact that sending them away on foot might well be a death sentence, especially this late in the year. They also didn't like the idea of these malcontents hanging around the area, but nobody could come up with a better idea.

Daniel stood and raised his hand for recognition and the council was glad to hear what he might propose. Jumping up on the stage, he took the microphone and paused to organize his thoughts.

"I feel terrible that this happened, and partly responsible because some of my employees were involved. I never saw this Randy before, but I know his type and it would be a very bad idea to have him lurking around all winter. While they can obviously choose to just walk away from here, I offer to take them with me south. I have one more trip to make and they can work for me for the transport. Then I can leave them where they at least won't freeze this winter. It will be up to them to find another community or make it on their own."

The council and shareholders were grateful for this solution. The expelled men didn't seem to be appreciating it much, though they all agreed to it in the end. None of them were stupid enough to think they could face a Wyoming winter on foot, on their own.

As Richard left the fairgrounds with Mutt and the others, his thoughts turned to speculation on possible future mischief from Simon and his cohorts. They'd have to keep their eyes peeled, for sure.
****

The winter solstice came with a brief snowstorm in the early morning, and then the sun shown brightly on the fresh blanket of soft snow all over town. This was the second annual "Turning day," where young people were formally accepted into the community as adults. All of the votes had been counted long ago, and while there had been some anxiety by one candidate in the beginning, all nine of the young men and women had finally been accepted. Today they would be recognized by the community and make statements if they chose to do so.

Since there was no building large enough to hold them all now, the snow had been scraped from the fairgrounds and a large fire laid in the center of the field beyond the stage. The ceremony would not take long, and nobody wanted to miss it, so nearly every living soul in the community braved the cold and were soon assembled.

Just after noon the nine candidates stood on the stage with their parents or guardians, suffering the cheers, jokes and teasing of both peers and elders with varying degrees of embarrassment or feigned aplomb. As rites of passage go it was a benign and joyful occasion, and none of them would have had it any other way.

As was the custom, most of them spoke briefly about their plans for the future, and one couple announced their engagement. Shouts, cheers and good natured laughter greeted each speech, and none of the new adults had any doubt that they were accepted and treasured by the community.

After the ceremony, those involved went home to their personal celebrations and everyone else got back to work. Before they left the stage, Charlie had held out his open hand to his eldest son in the ancient traditional gesture of equals. One adult to another, they solemnly shook hands and then engulfed each other in a family hug. Charlie was a little shocked to realize that his son was now a bit taller than he was.

Donald had pretty much gone back to being just Donald, but he watched his big brother with renewed respect and love. He wasn't thinking about all the growing up he still had to do to reach his own "Turning day." His thoughts were of his latest experiments and the new place in the woods he'd found for his private musings and play. He would not be allowed to go there again until spring and the departure of the wolves, but that didn't discourage his active mind from making plans.

Cathy and Charlie walked toward their cabin hand in hand, as on so many other occasions. They joined with Jeff, Maria and many others in celebration of this vital milestone of their new life.

Evan trailed behind the rest of them, casting brief glances at a girl named Margaret in another group. "I wonder how I can get to talk to her," he mused.

Margaret was aware of the glances and smiled to herself. "I wonder how long before he talks to me," she whispered to her sister.

They laughed and hurried toward their cabin, eager for the fire and an opportunity to talk about the boys... as their ancestors had done since the dawn of time.