Second Harvest

Billy said, "We walked all the way from our farm to here Roy. My feet were hot and tired and we were dying of thirst."

Roy laughed. "Did you get a drink in the spring?"

Billy nodded.

Roy set Billy on the ground and put his arm around Sara and gave her a big kiss. Billy ran into the log cabin.

"Are you okay Sara?"

"We're fine now. A little scared, but I got the boys settled by the time we arrived here."

"Did you recognize anyone?"

"I've never seen them before. They were a rough looking bunch and very nasty with their language."

"Did you happen see where the strangers rode off to?"

Abe interrupted again. "They rode south."

"Who were they, Roy?"

"Hey everybody; you better come out here fast," yelled Billy from the doorway leading into the cabin.

When everyone arrived, Billy was pointing out the front window. Roy could see five men on horses riding toward Roy's place. The dust kicking up behind the horses indicated they were coming fast. Molly and Sally started making loud unfriendly noises.

"Abe, Billy into the tunnel, NOW!"

Ignoring years of dust, Roy grabbed his pop's six-shooters, a box ammunition for the gun and handed them to Sara. "Take these and deep into the tunnel. I'll be right there. Are there canteens by the spring?"

"There were two."

Roy grabbed the other empty canteens in the cabin, the compass, and his grandfather's knife. "Go, all of you. Run." Roy grabbed the Winchester and loaded more bullets into the side chamber.

Everyone darted back into the tunnel while Roy stayed by the window watching the riders until they were close to Roy's place. After tying their horses to a fence post, a large man sent some men to the barn and had them search the place. Roy slowly moved into the tunnel and closed the door. Placing his finger to his lips, he motioned for the Johansson family to get back deep into the tunnel. Billy stayed by Roy's side. He was scared. Roy set the rifle down and hugged Billy then whispered.

"It's going to be all right Billy, now go catch your maw."

After the strangers searched the farm, they rudely entered the cabin.

"Move quietly into the tunnel, Billy. Stay out of the shafts of light and close to the walls, so they can't see you." Roy motioned that they should move back quickly.

Roy could hear the men kicking things and a couple of items breaking. It was difficult to see through the cracks in the door boards and the fireplace blocked Roy's line of sight. Suddenly, the shadow of someone moved close to the tunnel door. Roy quietly stepped back as fast as possible and raised his rifle, pointing it at the tunnel entrance.