#childhood adventures | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

daily-escuella · 2 years

Text

Good Boy, Cain - Short Story

A Jack Marston Adventure

Little Jack Marston and Cain, the Catahoula dog, have an unspoken bond, stronger than most. When Cain gets himself into trouble one day, Jack makes it his mission to help the dog apologize! ((After a long hiatus, I return! With something short and sweet for now. I had this idea kicking around in my head for a little while, young Jack and his dog on their own little road to redemption (sort of!) Thank you for reading! I hope you like it! <3)) Word Count: ~2800 Warnings: Description of meat, mention of smoking

Morning greeted Clemen’s Point and the day was shaping up to be mild and sunny. The adults sleepily sipped their coffees and milled quietly about, but Jack’s adventures were already well underway.

“This way Cain, come on!” the young boy screamed, waving a stick in the air as he looked over his shoulder.

To Jack’s bemusement, the big, blue catahoula cur had gotten distracted at the provisions wagon, choosing instead to sniff the offerings of today’s hunt.

“Cain! Come ooon!” Jack insisted, slapping his hand against his thigh as he’d seen the grown-ups do, but the dog only glanced over in reply.

Pearson, with a large sack of potatoes perched on his shoulder, emerged from the back of the wagon just in time to notice Cain, neck stretched as long as it could go, reaching toward his prize on the prep-table.

“Hey- No! Get outta here! That’s not for you!” Pearson sputtered as he juggled the heavy sack, trying in vain to swat away the poaching pooch.

The dog's eyes snapped between Pearson and his prize before swiping the small rabbit off the table, already skinned of its pelt and ready for butchering.

Pearson shrugged the sack off, it landed on the ground with a muffled thud. “Hey- Hey! Get back here!” he jogged forward but the dog had bolted for the shore, “that’s our dinner!” He sighed deeply as he dragged his hands down his face, defeated. “Looks like it’ll be plain stew again tonight.”

“It’s okay, I’ll get him!” Jack trilled, his little voice carrying above all the commotion Cain left in his wake. The boy tossed his stick to the ground and took off after his best friend, running so fast the wind whooshed in his ears. “Cain! That’s not for you!” His voice came out in stuttered bumps as his feet collided with the earth.

Reaching the small lip of grass roots that hung over the sandy shoreline, Jack paused and readied himself to jump, landing with an “oof” before standing back to his full height and looking down both ends of the beach. There was no sign of him.

“Cain!!” Jack yelled as loud as he possibly could, causing Javier, who had been patrolling the shore, to grimace, “where did he go…?” Jack asked, arms flopping to his sides in defeat.

“I saw the dog go that way,” Javier pointed toward the old boat, beached on the sand. “Maybe if you’re quick you can save our dinner!” He said with a laugh and a shake of his head.

“Thank you Uncle Javier!” The last syllable was carried out as one long note, for Jack had already started running. The little boy scanned the rocks ahead of him, hoping to spot the grey fur among them but was unsuccessful. Still, he peaked around every bolder and even in the nearby bushes, but he’d come up empty once again.

“What’s the matter, Jack?” Charles asked, voice painted with concern after spotting the frustrated boy.

“Cain took a rabbit from Pearson and now I can’t find him.” Jack lamented, kicking at a bush.

“That's alright. Do you think he went this way?” Charles asked, pointing down the beach.

“Well… That’s what Uncle Javier said, but I didn’t see him.” Jack sank down to a squat, hugging his knees and pouting.

“Can I help?” Charles asked, squatting down too.

“Sure.” He looked at the ground, pouting for a second longer as if Charles’ words hadn’t reached him, then he looked up again quickly, “oh, yes please!”

Charles nodded with a smile and guided Jack’s eyes down to the sand. “See these? What do they look like to you?”

“Pawprints?” He asked hesitantly, looking to Charles for approval.

“That’s right! They’re too big to be a coyote and too small to be a wolf, so who do you think made them?”

Jack’s eyebrows scrunched up for a second before his face lit up with realization, “Cain!”

“Good job! If we follow these, we might find him.”

“Let’s go!” Jack popped up to his feet and tore off along the trail as Charles walked briskly after. “They lead here- Cain!!” Jack gasped as he rounded a large boulder, “Cain give that back, it’s for everyone!”

Cain had enjoyed his stolen feast, mangling the rabbit beyond recognition, what flesh remained now covered in sand. As Jack approached the dog backed off quickly, head low as if to say sorry.

“Bad dog!” Jack scolded, wagging a finger at him as he’d seen his mama do, “bad boy, you have to ask first!” The dog’s tail wrapped firmly under his body, eyes looking anywhere but the boy.

Charles walked up behind them and hummed as he took in the sight, “looks like we’re going to need something else for the stew, huh?”

“Yeah,” Jack replied, dejected, “I’m sorry Uncle Charles.”

“Nothing to be sorry for, it wasn't your fault. Cain must have been hungry.” He dropped to Jack’s level, or as close as he could manage on the upward slope of the sand, “tell you what, I’ll go catch us another rabbit and you… why don’t you teach Cain a new trick? Help him put that big meal to good use.”

Jack smiled excitedly, “okay! I can do that! Come on, Cain, let’s go!” This time the dog barked happily in reply, following after Jack with his tail wagging once again.

Charles smiled as he watched them run through the brush and safely back into camp, chuckling softly to himself. The kid was thriving, it was good to see. He only hoped that the innocent years lasted a sight longer for Jack than it had for most of the gang. He cinched Taima’s saddle and gave her a pat on the neck before mounting up and riding off on his unexpected morning hunt.

~~~

Jack and Cain played at the outskirts of camp by the scout fire. Arthur and Lenny sat nearby, chatting about this and that, but Jack barely heard them. He was too focused on his task.

“No Cain, do it like this- like this!” He held his hands in front of his chest, posed like mock-paws and stood as tall as he could on his tip-toes, trying fruitlessly to convince the dog to copy him. Cain cocked his head to one side, watching the boy curiously, but stayed sitting. Jack let out a disgruntled sigh before flopping on the grass next to the dog. “It’s okay boy, I’ll think of something else to teach you…”

“Whachyu up to Jack?” Arthur’s gruff voice called out. Him and Lenny were both watching, looking amused.

“Oh hi Uncle Arthur, hi Uncle Lenny.”

Lenny tipped his hat with a smile, “Hey Jack, are you trainin’ Cain?”

“I’m trying to.” The pout could be heard in his mumble.

“Well, what’er you tryin’ to train him?” Arthur asked, crossing the distance to give Cain a scratch behind the ear. The dog’s tongue lolled as he soaked up the affection.

“Something new I guess…” Before Arthur could open his mouth to ask further, Jack flew into a flurry of an explanation, “see, Cain stole a rabbit and I tried to stop him! And then I needed someone to help me find him but when we did he already ate it! Now Uncle Charles is finding a new one, but I don’t want everyone to be mad at Cain! I thought if he learned a new trick everyone would be happy and forget about it!”

“Whoa, whoa, go easy,” Arthur chuckled, “take a breath!”

Jack took some deep, albeit frustrated, breaths as instructed. “Uncle Arthur, he just won’t listen to me today!”

Arthur knelt down to Jack’s height and patted the dog’s shoulder, “he’ll listen, you just gotta tell him in a different way.”

“Okay… I’ll try,” Jack said, climbing back to his feet, “I just- I don’t know what to teach him anymore.”

“How about… teachin’ him to shake?” Arthur suggested.

“He knows that.” Jack extended a hand and Cain gently offered his large paw.

“Wow! I didn’t know he could do that. Great job, kid,” Lenny encouraged, walking over to the three.

“Thanks.” Jack replied, his voice still void of confidence.

“Well, what about havin’ him, uh, walk backwards? Like, on cue?” Lenny offered.

Jack sighed dramatically, “he can do that already too.” Jack lifted an arm and pointed at the canine, “back up, Cain! Back up!”

Cain rose to his feet and flicked his tongue, glancing once or twice behind him before gingerly stepping backwards a few feet.

Arthur chuckled. “Wouldya look at that, good boy, Cain,” he praised, standing back to his full height, “and good job, Jack! You know, you’re really good with him.”

“I’m impressed,” Lenny added smiling, “what’s left to teach him?”

“Yeah, what indeed,” Micah’s gruff voice sounded from just beyond the wall of foliage bordering the camp, “ain’t no use left for him now, might as well just shoot him dead.” His twisted grin could be heard before anyone saw his face. The man pushed through the brush, joining the small group.

“Keep it to yourself, Micah,” Arthur growled, taking a step between him and the boy.

“The dog does a lot more ‘round here than you do.” Lenny said flatly.

“Is that right? And when was the last time you brought in a score, huh?” Micah sneered, casually side-stepping Arthur.

Cain’s hackles raised as he circled to the other side of Jack, the low hum of a growl emanating from his throat.

“What’s wrong Cain?” Jack asked as he stroked his fur, oblivious to the growing tension.

Lenny took a step closer, making a new barrier between Micah and Jack. “Last I checked, you always gotta bring someone else along to do the hard part for you, then you sit on your ass, soakin’ up all of Dutch’s praise.”

Micah smiled, but his cold eyes flashed as he licked his teeth. “Is that what you think-?”

Arthur pushed his way between them, forcing Micah to take a step back. “This ain’t the time nor the place, Micah. Now get gone.” His voice was quiet but carried the heat of threat.

“Or what, Morgan?” Micah stood his ground, nearly nose to nose with Arthur.

“You’ll find out.”

There was a heavy pause, then Micah laughed, a short sputtering one at first before growing condescending, “oh relaaaax Morgan, I was only having a little fun!” He sniffed and spit before moving to walk away. “Good luck with your… training,” he made the motion of a finger gun at Cain before sauntering off.

“Just ignore him, Jack,” Arthur said as he dusted his vest off then crouched back down. He gave both little fellas a kind-hearted pat on the head and Jack laughed.

“Everything alright up there?” Javier called as he placed his patrol rifle back down, ending his shift for the day.

“Yeah, we’re fine,” Arthur called back.

“All good, Javier!” Lenny called back, “listen, I gotta get on patrol but you holler if you need anything.” Lenny said, making his way down the hill, “I can’t wait to see what you teach him next, Jack!”

“Bye Uncle Lenny!” Jack called after him, voice relaxed and calm, despite the tension still visible in Cain’s prickled fur. Arthur smoothed a reassuring hand down the dog’s back and Cain finally broke his focus on Micah, who’d taken up post next to Dutch’s tent.

“Atta boy,” Arthur praised softly, “so, Jack, did you think of what you want to do?”

“I did!“ He beamed.

“And what’s that?”

“What Uncle Micah said!” Jack explained as he held a finger gun up. Arthur’s brow knit into a line of concern, “I saw a dog in a town once, his owner did this with his hand and the dog pretended to be dead! I think Cain can learn it, I really do!”

Arthur blinked a few times, relief and understanding washing over his expression. “I see, yeah. We can teach him together, if you want?”

“Um…” Jack considered it for a second before shaking his head, “no thank you Uncle Arthur. I want to do it.”

“Well, alright.” Arthur nodded, looking between the boy and the dog, practically glued at the hip. Something about the bond they shared warmed his old heart more than he expected, “yeah, I think you’ll do just fine. Just don’t lose your patience with him, he’ll get it.”

“I won’t!” Jack called back, already running down the hill to the tent he shared with his mama, Cain bounding closely behind him.

Arthur chuckled and stood up again as fond memories of his old dog Copper chased after the pair.

~~~

Evening took the sun, leaving only hues of pink and orange painted across a sparsely clouded sky. Charles had returned that afternoon with a doe as well as two rabbits, to Pearson’s delight. With the added herbs snuck into the pot by Susan, the stew was the best it had been in days.

Folks sat around the campfire and spread out among the available tables as they enjoyed the day’s meal. Jack practically vibrated in his chair as he excitedly waited for his mother to finish eating.

She finally glanced over at him, a smile playing at the edge of her lips, “so, Jack. You ready to show everyone what you and Cain been workin’ on?”

“Yes!” he shouted as he jumped up, “right now, mama?”

She nodded, “yes, right now.”

“Okay! Let’s go boy!” The dog leapt to his feet and barked excitedly before following the child to the main campfire.

Abigail giggled to herself, happy to see her son so happy, and followed after him with their empty dishes.

Jack slowed as he reached the provision wagon, his excitement suddenly quelled by a flood of nerves. “Um… Mr. Pearson?” Jack asked.

“Hm? Oh, Jack, what can I do for ya?”

“Um, well, I wanted to tell you Cain is really sorry about today…” Jack looked down at his shoes.

Pearson laughed, “don’t worry about it little buddy, because of him, Charles went out and brought us something better! I’m not mad.”

“Oh good.” Jack replied, the shift in his posture from shy to bold pulling a small chuckle from other onlookers.

“He even taught the dog a new trick to apologize,” Abigail informed the folk nearby, then gently encouraged her son with a smile, “go on boy, show us!”

Jack nodded his head and stepped to the open end of the campfire seating. “Come here Cain,” but he hadn’t needed to call as the dog was right behind him, “oh.”

Arthur and Charles chuckled.

Jack swallowed and said in his most official voice, “I’m going to shoot Cain!”

A hush fell over the crowd as all eyes turned to the pair. Jack nodded at the dog, who simply stared back, and then raised his finger gun to the dog’s head.

“BANG!” He yelled, staring at Cain with a serious expression.

Cain stared back with his tongue lolling and tail wagging slightly, looking for all the world like he hadn’t understood. The air was silent but for the crackle of the fire. Then Cain closed his mouth, blinked and lowered his haunches to the ground, then lowered his front before flopping over on his side, head still raised to stare at Jack.

“Bang,” Jack whispered a second time, and this time Cain’s head flopped dramatically to the ground with a thud.

There was a pause and then an uproarious laughter and praise as everyone hooted and hollered for the young duo. Cain leapt to his feet and mingled with the folks for pets and attention while Jack grinned from ear to ear.

“Good boy, Cain!” He shouted and clapped.

“You taught him that?” Bill asked, amazed, as he rubbed Cain’s ears.

“Yes, he did! My boy,” Abigail beamed as she scooped Jack up for a hug.

“Mama let me go, he knows lots more, I want to show them!” Jack protested as he wriggled free.

“Okay, okay, but it’s bedtime soon, ya hear?” She laughed as she watched on, the sparkle of pride in her eyes.

“He’s one smart kid,” Arthur said, watching Jack run through the dog’s repertoire of tricks.

“He really is. With a big heart too. I just hope this life doesn’t crush his spirit.” Charles mused, a forlorn tone to his thought.

“If things go like Dutch says they will, he won’t have to grow up like this much longer.” Arthur reassured as he lit a cigarette, though his voice lacked conviction.

“If they do,” Charles echoed, eyes cast over the flames.

“Uncle Arthur, Uncle Charles, did you see that?” Jack yelled as he bounced over to where they sat on the log.

“I did! Great job, Jack,” Arthur praised.

“You’ve got a real skill there,” Charles added with a warm smile.

“Now Jack,” Arthur leaned in a little, his voice lowered, “don’t go tellin’ Micah that trick was his idea, okay? Or we’ll never hear the end of it!”

“I won’t tell him anything!” Jack reassured, turning quickly to find Cain again, “okay boy, mama says it’s time for bed!”

He gave a quick wave to everyone and bounded off to his tent, joining Abigail just past the glow of the flames.

“He’ll be alright.” Charles laughed.

“He will,” Arthur agreed.