William, Isaac, Stephen and Tom Henry must trudge through the blizzard to the barn for the Walkers. Sary has given them some sage advice as they are putting on their coats, “Now boys y’alls be real careful, this blizzard is a mighty one. Y’all stick close to ones another. Youse can get lost in this here kind of weather.”
To the boys this isn’t dangerous at all it is a grand adventure. After a round or two of snowball fights and tossing Tom Henry into the biggest snowdrift they could find, they return to the house covered from head to foot in snow. They are not alone, with them are all of Kentucky Lead’s pups.
Christmas had almost been forgotten; except for the smell of that ole turkey gobbler Sary had roasting in the oven. As Malinda begins to speak, everyone forms a circle around her, “Now the plan of yesterday, as you now know, has been changed. Sam, you and Nate cannot leave Monday to go find the gold in Kentucky. Our first priority must be Robert and Port Royal, Virginia. I believe, in all my heart he is still alive and we must go find him and bring him home.”
“What about Matthew and the soldiers false legs?” asked William. “Shouldn’t we be doing something to try helping them?”
“All in due time William, all in due time, right now I need something too, a husband and a father to all you children. Once we find Robert, the creek of gold will still be there. Our priority should be to journey to Virginia and bring your father home.”
“Mother, may I have a say?” asked William.
“Of course son, everyone speaks their minds, we are a family and that includes you too Sary.”
“All right, here is my suggestion – let me and Sam return to Kentuck. He knows where the gold creek is located. We will pan a couple of bags of gold and get back home and buy up the spring planting supplies. Luke, you and Nate take the wagon to that hospital in Virginia to find Father. Isaac and Uncle Dave have been helping Sam at the Mill, so he and Stephen can take over there. Mother you Sary, Catherine and Ora Lee stay here and keep the rest of the family safe. We will all be fine. Sam and I know how to use the Colts and Henrys, and we can carry the pass that President Davis gave Luke just in case we happen upon some Rebs that believe the War is still going on.”
“My, William you have grown up so, but no, William you and Sam are too young to be going that far alone. It is not safe.”
“Mother, since this War started there is no one young anymore. Youth disappeared with that first cannon shot at Fort Sumter in April of ’61. This War has made us much older than our years, Sam and I will be fine, I’m telling you.”
Sary speaks up, “I’m agin it! Don’t none of y’all leave this place. Mr. Robert will come home if he is a livein’, if he ain’t then y’all haulin’ yerselves all the way up there will be fer naught. I sez jest let it play out, and we’s will see what happens. We is all safe stayin’ right here.”
“You make the most reasonable sense Sary, but this isn’t the time to be reasonable. On second thought, you’re right William – you and Sam head out just as soon as the snow melts, and Luke you and Nate take the wagon and start to Virginia. One way or the other we must find out about your father.”
“We will Mother, but Nate and I can make considerable more time on horseback than with the wagon. If we find Father and he is unable to ride, I’ll figure something out at that time.” Looking at Sary, “You think your bird might be about ready to eat?”
“Yes sir, Mister Luke I’s shore that old gobbler be ready fer our Christmas dinner.” With a far away look as though she was remembering Christmases of old she adds, “this Christmas of... 1865.”