From the time that they had left the town Bob had made sure that the convoy had stopped about every hour and a half. If for no other reason, the children needed a bathroom break. It had slowed their progress, but everyone was glad for the break. Especially the children.

"I wish we had some idea of where we are." Tim said to Bob and Major Ferguson. "What I wouldn't give for a G.P.S. right now."

"Be glad you don't have one." Bob said.

"Why is that? At least we'd know where we are."

"Tim. Those things work two ways. You contact the satellite, and the satellite tells you where you are at, right?" Ferguson said.

"Of course."

"What happens if someone has access to that satellite and they have the skills to find out what it told you?"

"I hardly think that would happen."

"Tim, as near as I can figure it, we are either in or near Yellowstone National Park. The Park has been closed for some time now. So why would someone be using a G.P.S. out here?"

"I didn't think about it that way."

"Trust me. Our enemies have."

"Besides Tim, we are right where we are supposed to be. We're in Gods' hands." Bob said.

It was during one of these breaks that word reached Bob, from the point team, of a possible problem. There was a cabin along their route of travel. Smoke was seen coming from the chimney. Bob and Major Ferguson moved out ahead of the group to have a look at it.

After lowering the binoculars the Major asked Bob,

"What do you think?"

"Well, I have a few thoughts. First, that cabin has been there for a long time. A hundred years or more. Second, it has obviously had certain upgrades over the years. New windows are a dead give away of that. Then again, we have a cabin out here in here middle of nowhere that has people in it. So the question is are the holed up waiting for us or are they like us and trying to hide from the government? Either way, caution would seem to e the order of the day."

"I agree. You know there is only one way to find out about whoever is in there."

"Yeah, I know. That doesn't mean I have to like it. Who do you think we should send in?"

"You won't like what I have to say."

"Say it anyway."

"Alright. I think we need to send in some of the civilians. I also think that Alex should lead the way."

"Why?"

"Everyone has to face their baptism of fire sooner or later. Right now we have the advantage of numbers and surprise. What better time to find out about them?"

"You're right major. I don't like it. But you are right. Pick the people you want to go. Get them ready."

Alex's mouth was dry. He knew that if he had to hold out his hand, it would be shaking. He also knew that there was a job to be done, and it was his job. He didn't want to embarrass his father. He signed some of the people to move around to the rear of the building. Others he signed to follow him. He couldn't believe how scared he was and wondered if others like the Major, felt like he did now.

It wasn't like this in the movies. The only time he had ever done anything like this was when he and his father first entered the town. Ever since then, every time he had to shoot at a man, he had been in a hole or behind something that offered protection. This time he was the one in the open. He searched ever opening in the cabin. He saw no sign that he was being watched.

"How do you want to do this?" Mike Timmons asked quietly. "I can take the front door if you want."

"No. I'll do it. No offense, but with that scar of yours might put them off. If they are in hiding like us, well, we don't want to scare off anybody that might be able to help."

"Alright. What do you want us to do?"

Alex thought quickly. "You stay a little back from the porch and cover me. Stay where you can get a clear shot. I'll stay back a bit from the doorway and try to stay out of the line of fire." He turned to the girl on his other side. "Sarah, I want you to do the same from the other side."

"You got it." She answered.

"Alright. Don't be to quick on the trigger. There isn't anything to say what side they might be on. You two get into position, then I'll move up."

In moments the two people were in position and waiting for him. Taking a deep breath and then letting it out slowly, he stood and walked up to the cabin door as quietly as he could. He actually startled himself when his boot thumped on the first step. Pausing to see if it caused a reaction, then continued forward.

As he said he would, he stopped as far from the doorway as possible and resisted the urge to check the people behind him. Not only was it to late for that, if someone were watching him, he didn't want to give away their presence. Reaching out, he knocked on the door. To his surprise, there was no sign of life from the cabin. He knocked a second time. There was still no answer.

"Hello in the cabin." He called. "We mean you no harm. We know you are there by the smoke. Will you talk to us?"

Still there was nothing. Alex considered what to do next. He didn't want to just break in the door without knowing something about what was on the other side. He knew there had to be someone there. Nobody would just go off and leave a fire burning. Not if they wanted to have a home when they got back. He was about to knock again when something inside fell and crashed to the floor.

"O.K. Do you want to admit you're here now?"

Alex heard they sound of whispered voices inside.

"We don't have anything for you to steal. Go away." A female voice said.

"We don't want to steal anything. We're lost. We just need directions."

"The nearest town is southeast of here. It's about a two day walk."

"Please, can you open the door. Look if we wanted to do any harm, would I be standing here in the snow knocking on the door?"

There were more whispers from inside. Then the sound of a bar of some sort being pulled back. The doorknob slowly turned and the door opened enough for Alex to see the end of a pistol poke out.

"If you're lying, you'll die first."

"I'm not lying. We just need to know where we are." Alex looked at the revolver closely. "Besides, how are you going to shoot me with an empty gun?"

"It's not empty."

"I can see the cylinder. That thing is empty. Please, can we talk?"

"Let him in darling. He knows we are unarmed. And no doubt they out number us. Talking seems like a good idea."

"Alright Grand mom." The pistol pulled back into the doorway. "Come in."

As he entered the cabin, Alex saw a young woman about his age. She put down the empty pistol and picked up a poker from the fireplace. While she didn't threaten him with it, she held it ready for use. Looking around he saw an older woman sitting on a bed with one leg both bandaged and elevated. He spoke to her.

"Thank you, Ma'am. We really mean no harm."

"I believe you. I could hear several people outside. I take it your guns are loaded."

"Yes Ma'am. There's lots of unpleasant people and animals out there."

"Maybe you're one of them." The girl said.

"Darling, put that thing down. If this young man wanted to hurt us we'd already be in trouble." Looking at Alex she smiled and continued. "You have to forgive my granddaughter. Shes' become a little over protective since I got hurt."

"I understand Ma'am. How did you do that?" He said pointing to her leg.

"Oh I got careless while chopping some firewood. Um, you folks wouldn't happen to have a few clean bandages you could spare, do you?"

"Promise me that she won't hit me, and I think we can do better than that."

"She won't. I said put it down dear."

Alex reached into his pocket and pulled out a radio.

"Dad, there isn't anything here that is going to harm us, but could you send Kathy and Barbara up here? One of these people has been hurt."

"They'll be there in a minute. What's wrong? Kathy needs to know."

"A really bad cut on the leg."

"Alright. They are on the way."

Putting down the radio, Alex asked, "May I talk to the people outside? I'd like to let them know what's going on."

"Go ahead son."

Alex opened the door, and called out.

"Everyone relax. It's O.K. Just be watching for Kathy and Barbara. We have an injured person in here."

---

Kathy lifted her head and talked to the injured woman.

"You're very fortunate. It's deep, but you didn't hit any major blood vessels. There isn't any sign of infection. All in all I'd say you've done a good job of taking care of it. If you'll let me, I'd like to put in a few stitches to close it and help keep it clean."

The woman looked at Kathy and said, "I would have done it myself but I don't have any sutures."

"Sutures? Most people just say stitches. Do you have medical training?"

"Oh my yes darling. I was an E.R. nurse for thirty years. But if you don't mind me saying so, you do have training, but you don't seem to be a doctor."

"I'm a dentist."

"Well, aren't you working on the wrong end then?" She asked with a twinkle in her eye.

"If you want me to, I can stop."

"No, no. You just keep on doing what you're doing. It's more than I can do."

"Alright. Barbara, would you bring the surgical kit over here?"

As Kathy worked, the woman watched carefully but without comment until she had finished.

"Darling, that is one fine job you did there. I thank you for the help. Oh, where are my manners. I'm Jewel. The suspicious one over there is Cindy."

"I'm pleased to meet you Jewel. I'm Kathy and I'm sure you already heard my assistant is Barbara. You don't sound like you are from around here. May I ask where you're from?"

"I'm a Georgia peach, born and raised. Though maybe not as sweet as I once was. What about you folks?"

Kathy gave her a short version of what had happened to them all, while carefully leaving out the mention of them being Christians. So she was more than a little surprised when Jewel spoke again.

"Sounds like The Lord has been good to y'all. I know it was a God send you showed up here."

"You're Christian?"

"That we are sweetheart. And before you ask, this fellow named Michael showed up last night and told us help was coming. I guess you must be it."

"Michael sure does get around, doesn't he?"

"Why he's an arch angel. He can do pretty much what he wants. Long as The Lord allows that is."

---

Jewel and Cindy were very happy to learn about the group. And Bob, Kathy and the rest were she felt more than generous in what they provided for them. Food had been growing short, and Cindy had been very worried about it. There was no more ammunition for their rifle or pistol. And they had begun to hear wolves in the night. One thing that Bob had not expected was almost having to twist the arms of the ladies to get them to come with the group.

"Son, what would you want with a crippled up old woman like me?"

"Jewel, in case nobody has told you, we have several women in various stages of pregnancy. Including Kathy by the way. What we don't have is someone with experience in delivery. You don't have the supplies to take care of that leg, and you need help getting food in. Sounds to me like The Lord has provided for both of us at the same time."

"Could be, could be. I've delivered more than one in my time."

"What do you say then? Will you join up with us?"

Before she could answer, Bobs' radio came to life.

"DAD! Mikes' water just broke. I think she is in labor."

"You didn't tell me any of them were that far along. Get that poor child in here. Can't have a baby being born out there in the snow."

Later that night, with Jewel looking over her shoulder giving advice, Kathy delivered her first baby. By morning, Alex was sitting in a chair next to his sleeping wife with his brand new daughter in his arms.

"Jewel, I want to thank you for your help last night." Bob said softly.

"Well, after what y'all have done for us, what else could I do?"

"Won't you come with us? Obviously we'll need to be here for a while for Michelle's sake. Any that will give you time to heal up a little more. When we leave, come with us. We need each other."

She shook her head in amazement. "The Lord surely does work in mysterious ways. Alright. We'll travel with you."

BW, Vietnam Vet