It proved to be a good idea to keep the camping trip from JD at least. Since finding out about the trip, JD had been driving everyone nuts with his constant questions. Chris was relieved when the wagon was finally packed and they were on their way.

Chris had decided that going to Moose Lake would be the best bet. There was plenty of wide-open space for the tents and wagon but it also had a small grove of trees that were perfect for adventurous young boys. Chris could still remember the trips he and Buck used to go on with their pa. Their pa taught them how to fish and swim in Moose Lake and Chris wanted Vin and JD to have some good memories of the area also.

The caravan stopped a few times to allow the animals to rest and for little boys to run off some energy. JD's constant bounce finally slowed to nothing as the sway of Buck's horse put him to sleep. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when the chatter stopped. The rest of the ride to the Lake was quieter, with Vin asking questions or Ezra complaining about being forced to go camping. Brotherly banter could be heard around the laughing. As they pulled into the clearing that would be their camp sight for the next week, JD woke up and immediately wanted down to explore.

"Now hold on Little Bit. You need to help set up the campsite before you can go off. You also need to hear the camp rules so settle down." Buck said with mirth. Buck dismounted and helped JD down.

"What do I need to do Buck?" JD asked.

"Let's go see where Chris wants to start. Okay?"

"Okay." JD started to bounce over to Chris. Chris smiled when he saw his baby brother head his way. He only had a split second before JD was in his arms chattering about helping. He was talking so fast that Chris had no idea what he was trying to say.

"Whoa, Sprout. Breath." Chris smiled.

JD took a couple of breaths and was about to start again when Chris put his hand gently over JD's mouth.

"Slowly JD." Chris removed his hand and JD spoke slowly at first.

"What do we have to do? Can I sleep by myself Chris? I's a big boy." Chris put his hand back as JD breathed to continue.

"Let's start at the beginning Sprout. We brought three tents. You are bunking with Buck. Vin is with me, and Ezra and Nathan will be with Josiah."

"Aw Chris. Buck snores like a bear." JD whined.

"Well then, he will chase off any critters that come visiting at night." Chris said.

"JD I don't snore!" Buck smirked.

"Do to! Sounds like ya got a bug up yer nose." JD squirmed down as Buck came after him to tickle him. Vin and Ezra were laughing too.

"Boys?" Chris directed his comment at Buck. "Let's get set up. Josiah, Buck and I will put up the tents while Ezra, Nate, Vin and JD can find some fire wood."

"Don't you have a chore that doesn't require me getting dirty?" Ezra asked.

Chris thought for a minute. "Fine. Take the buckets from the wagon and I'll show you where to get fresh water we can drink."

Ezra retrieved the buckets and the water after Chris showed him what to do. After filling and carrying a few buckets, he realized that he may be cleaner, but water bearer was more work then wood gatherer.

JD wasn't much help, but he did manage to get small enough stuff to start the fire. By the time the tents were up the boys had a good size pile of wood gathered. Josiah set up the chuck wagon and pulled out the fixin's for supper as Chris started the fire. Buck rounded up his brothers and found some larger logs that would need chopping. With everyone's help, the campsite was complete by the time Josiah rang the dinner bell.

While everyone ate, Chris went over the camp rules.

"Boys. There are a few things I want to go over before bed."

"Aw Chris we done that before we left." Vin whined.

"And I'm going to say them again. We are out in the wild where there are some dangers. I don't want anyone swimming by himself. JD and Vin, I don't want you near the water without one of us with you. You need to always tell one of us where you are going and what you will be doing. The woods are good to explore, but if you can't hear the camp anymore you are too far. Also I don't want you exploring alone. Stick together, that way if you get into trouble someone can go for help. If you get lost, sit down and wait for someone to find you. Don't keep wandering. If you here the bell, then you need to return to the camp, understood?" Chris watched them all nod. "So what do you boys want to do tomorrow?"

They spend about an hour discussing plans of exploring, swimming, and fishing until JD started to get tired. The first indication was when he crawled into Buck's lap and put his thumb in his mouth.

Buck asked, "Are all the bedrolls set up?"

"Yeah. Vin helped put them out before supper." Chris answered.

"I think someone's tired."

"Doesn't surprise me. He's been on overdrive since we left this morning." Josiah said.

"He did have that nap though." Buck said as he cuddled JD closer.

"Only about an hour. He should sleep well." Chris said. "Everyone should."

Everyone helped with the dishes and settled in front of the fire as the sun set.

"Chris?"

"Yeah Vin?"

"Can you tell us a story?"

"You want a campfire story?" Chris smiled.

"Yeah. Before bed." Vin hoped to stall having to go to sleep yet. It was still too early.

"I don't remember any stories. Josiah? Buck?"

"I can tell ya about the Blue Mist." Buck smiled.

"That story's a little too scary for little brother Buck." Chris said as he pointed to JD snuggled in Buck's arms.

"Maybe you're right. I'll tell ya a funny story tonight, and tell ya the Blue Mist story after JD falls asleep each night. Deal?"

"Yeah!" Vin said. "I love scary stories."

"Yeah as long as someone is there to cuddle with at night. Should I just move your bedroll with mine? It could save time." Chris asked of Vin.

Vin blushed. It didn't matter whether he heard a scary story or not, Vin had already put their bedrolls together. He always got cold when sleeping out unless he was close to another warm body. "I already done that. I put JD's with Buck's too."

"Thought of everything huh Cowboy?" Chris teased.

"Yup." Vin said proudly as he realized they were teasing him.

"Okay. I'll tell ya a small story then off to bed." Buck said.

Vin snuggled with Chris as the older 'boys' had coffee and listened to the tale Buck was spinning. Ezra was allowed some coffee and he settled in next to Josiah. By the time Buck was finished his story, JD and Vin were asleep and Ezra wasn't far behind them. With four boys tucked in, Chris, Buck and Josiah discussed plans for the next day. An hour later, the fire was nothing but coals and the only sounds heard in the camp were the quiet snores of seven brothers.

The sun was barely visible in the horizon when Vin stirred from his slumber. He was snuggled close to Chris, who was still sleeping. Normally he would get up, but there was a small chill in the air and he was warm in Chris' arms. He lay there thinking about what he wanted to do first with this brand new day, when he heard JD.

"Buck I gotta pee!"

"Shhhh JD. You'll wake everyone up."

"I gotta go!"

"Okay Little Bit. Put your boots on.

Vin giggled at JD's loud voice and Buck's attempt to quiet him.

"What's so funny?" Chris asked.

"I didn't mean ta wake ya."

"You didn't. I think it was Sprout's declaration that did it."

"Declaration?"

"His announcement." Chris paused. "Do you need to pee too Vin?"

"Yeah."

"You want me to go with you or are you fine by your self?"

"I'm warm." Vin snuggled closer and Chris understood.

"Just don't pee on me okay?" Chris closed his eyes and tried to get some more sleep. It wasn't going to happen though. Just mentioning it, his bladder demanded attention. "AW damn." Chris started to move to get up.

Vin just laughed at him. Chris tried to glare at Vin, but the attempt just made Vin laugh harder. Chris got up and exited the tent. He heard Vin getting his boots on and would soon be following.

Chris heard, before he saw JD approach. Chris swooped in and hugged his baby brother.

"Mornin' Chris."

"Hey Sprout. What did you do with Buck?"

"He's still peein'." Chris chuckled. //Kids had no shame//

Chris set JD down and continued to the designated 'outhouse'. When he returned, Buck was letting JD help with stoking the fire and make the coffee. Vin exited the woods carrying an armful of firewood. Chris ruffled JD's hair and retrieved a cup.

"Coffee's almost ready Chris. Josiah is getting water for dishes and Nathan is filling canteens."

"And Ezra?" As if he didn't know.

"Still sleeping. Josiah asked that we let him sleep awhile longer. I guess he didn't sleep well last night."

"Problems?" Chris asked. Nobody wanted to deal with Ezra when he was tired.

"Not really." Josiah answered as he entered camp. "I think he just couldn't get warm and the ground is too hard. He's never camped."

"Never? How come?" Vin asked.

"Probably thought it was beneath him." Nathan groused.

"That's not fair Nathan. You know Ezra and his mother traveled a lot and they never did camping. Pa never had a chance to take him before he got sick." Chris answered.

"Well. I finally got him to sleep, but he ended up snuggled in with me. I didn't mind, but he would probably be embarrassed if it's mentioned, so don't." The warning in Josiah's voice was all that was needed. No one would tease Ezra about needing Josiah as a pillow.

"The Indians used to put pine bows under their skins to make like a mattress. We could make one fer Ez and maybe he would sleep better."

That's a good idea Vin. Would you help me with it later?"

"Sure Josiah. I was just gonna fish later."

"Why don't you show me after breakfast, and then you and Ezra can fish this afternoon."

"Ezra wants to fish?" Nathan asked.

"Nate you don't know your brother very well. He loves to go off and fish. He doesn't always catch much, but he likes it." Chris said.

"What's the angle?"

"Ez don't need no angle. He's a good fishin' partner." Vin huffed.

Josiah laughed. When he caught Vin's eye, they winked at each other. Ezra liked to fish all right. He could lie out on the sun, close his eyes and snooze with no one telling him he was being lazy. He was fishing! Vin knew that most of the time, Ezra didn't even use any bait. He threw his line in and napped while Vin caught the fish. Josiah knew this also. Sometimes it was easier to deal with Ezra when he had a small nap in the afternoon.

Breakfast was being served when Ezra stumbled out of the tent. He headed for the woods and returned to have Josiah hand him a plate with eggs and fatback on it. Breakfast was quiet as everyone ate. Josiah and Vin disappeared as Chris and Ezra cleaned the dishes.

The afternoon brought above average heat for that time of year and Ezra settled down for some fishing/napping before supper. Josiah spent the time making a small pallet of pine bows for Ezra's bedroll. He finished in time to start supper.

Dishes were washed and everyone settled in to hear Buck tell his stories around the fire. As soon as JD was asleep in Buck's arms, Vin asked, "Okay Buck, now the scary one."

"Vin are you sure you won't be too afraid?" Chris asked as he took Vin into his lap.

"I'll be fine Cowboy. I's like scary stories. I used to stay up and listen to the braves tell war stories at night."

"Okay, but if you start having nightmares, Buck won't finish the story. Deal?"

"Okay, but I won't."

"Go ahead Buck. Just tone it down a little."

"Hey this one is harmless. It happened a few years ago. There were these three boys who decided that they would go to the gold fields in California and try to strike it rich. These youngsters were about Nate's age, but often boys left home at an early age. The discovery of gold in California could mean wealth, and a chance for adventure and to leave hard and boring work in the East.

"These three youngsters decided to band together, since they knew each other since grade school. They liked and trusted each other and had helped each other often before. It was a dangerous long journey. They took the money that they had and were able to buy passage on an ocean going ship that would sail around Cape Horn off South America. They arrived in San Francisco and from there they headed to the gold fields.

"Well, they were late in arriving. When the news of gold spreads, it spreads fast. Adventurers from all over the US, the orient, from around the world had made the journey to California.

"As they traveled to areas where the latest rumors told of great finds, they did so as part of a large, mob of eager gold seekers. Life was expensive. This was the frontier and everything had to be brought in from small communities that were not large enough to support such demands on their farms and craftsmen. Local farmers and workers had even deserted their farms and land and joined the gold seekers."

"Sounds dreadful." Ezra commented.

"I would think the gold could motivate you Ezra." Nathan added.

"I would figure out how to do it without the labor."

Josiah chuckled, as Ezra added, "Not much of a living, seeking gold."

"But a living could be scratched out," Buck continued. "Who could tell? Anyone might strike it rich by finding a mother lode. The boys joined the crowds and kept working the placer deposits, finding a little color."

"What's a placer deposit Buck?" Vin asked.

"It's when gold is found mixed with the gravel in a stream."

"Ohh. How'd they get it out if it's mixed?"

"I'm getting to that. Placer deposits were hard work. Gold, which was washed down from the hills by the rivers, was mixed with the gravel. By scooping up pans full of this mixture and washing the lighter stones away from the heavier gold, the prospectors could separate the valuable gold dust and nuggets.

"Sounds too hard." Vin added.

"It was. But the goal was to find the Mother Lode, the source of the placer gold. Prospectors always tried to follow the grains of gold from where these nuggets were cut and carried by the water. Then, instead of washing and washing for mere specks of gold, they would have a solid vein of pure gold to cut away from the surrounding rock. They would have wealth beyond their wildest dreams."

Buck paused and noticed that Vin and Ezra were fighting to stay awake. "I'll tell ya some more tomorrow night. I think you boys need to go to bed."

"Aw I ain't... (yawn) tired." Vin protested.

"Buck's right. This story will take all week to finish, so off to bed." Chris added.

"Please?" Vin whined.

"Do you want Buck to finish this story?" Chris warned.

"Yeah."

"Then obey me and go to bed."

"Yes sir."

Buck tucked JD in and settled down too. Soon the camp was quiet with only the crack of the fire and snores heard.

Breakfast was over and Vin and Ezra managed to sneak a couple of plates out of the chuck wagon before anyone saw. They headed for the creek. They hollered quickly to Chris that they were going to the creek and went in search of gold.

"Vin. I doubt there is any gold in this creek."

"Don't matter Ez. It could be fun." Vin was in the process of taking off his boots and socks. He rolled up his pant legs and waded into the creek. "It's cold."

"Another reason to not pan for gold."

"Come on Ez. Where's yer 'venturous spirit."

"Still curled up on my sleeping pallet."

"Ya liked the mattress then?"

"Yes thank you. I didn't know how I was going to get any sleep on this trip with that hard ground." Ezra sat on the shore and watched Vin pan for gold.

"Josiah said ya ain't never camped. Livin' with the Indians is sort of like campin' all the time. I love being outside."

"I don't mind outside, but I don't like sleeping on the hard ground. Mother would be appalled."

"What's appalled mean?"

"Shocked. Surprised." Ezra laid back and closed his eyes.

"Ya ain't gonna pan fer gold Ez?"

"I really don't want too. You go right ahead."

Vin continued to pan for gold and Ezra tried to go to sleep. Both were brought out of there concentration with the sound of the lunch bell."

"We best get back. Josiah probably wants to know where his plates are."

The boys entered the camp and saw Josiah look at them with his hands on his hips. "What are you boys doing with the plates? I have been looking everywhere for them."

"Sorry Josiah. We was pannin' fer gold in the creek."

Josiah smiled. //Figures after Buck's story last night// "Next time ask before you take something. I would have let you borrow them and then I wouldn't have been worried about what you were going to eat on. Go rinse them off and come eat."

After lunch, Josiah let the boys borrow the plates and finish panning for gold. When Chris and Buck returned from hunting down some dinner, JD had joined Vin in the creek and Josiah was napping next to Ezra. Nathan was reading a book while he watched Vin and JD splash each other more than find any gold.

Chris cleaned the rabbits he and Buck shot, Josiah cooked them, Nathan did the dishes and then they all settled down for the next part of Buck's story. JD tried to stay awake but eventually fell asleep. With JD securely sleeping in his arms, Buck continued.

"One day the three boys came upon a river that only had a few miners working the placer deposits near a fairly large, but abandoned tent camp. They thought that there wouldn't be much gold there, otherwise there would be more miners. But when they started to pan, they found some of the best gold they had come across. They were excited! By working this stream they could make a fortune if the gold held up.

"Soon dusk approached. They joined the few prospectors at the tent camp to cook supper and were invited to stay in an abandoned tent. They were amazed at how rich this stream was and yet how few miners were working there.

"And old man told them, 'You need not be surprised boys. You may not be here long either. There are things that are more important than gold! But whatever you do as long as you stay in this valley, get into the tents by nightfall. Don't get caught in the valley in the blue mist. People who get caught by it died. It carries some sickness, but we have survived it. Do as we do, get into your tent before the blue mist comes down the valley!'" Buck paused to see Vin move to Chris' lap and Ezra and Nathan get closer to Josiah.

"That night, the blue mist again came. At first fingers of a thick blue fog rolled down the valley and curled around the tents. It was dark, about 10PM and the lantern cast an eerie glow with the fog lapping higher and higher on the tents, until finally all was blacked out.

"The three friends were safe in the tent," Buck heard his brothers release a breath. "They hardly believed the old timers but they decided not to press their luck either. Day after day they worked the riches of the stream but night after night, they hid in their tents as the blue mist slid down the river from higher in the valley, blacking out everything and causing the activities of the camp to come to a complete stop.

"And as they would work any other river, by day they panned further and further upstream, looking for richer color, looking for a concentration of gold that might mean that they were nearing the Mother Lode. But they always made sure to listen to the old miners' advice to be back in the tent camp by nightfall, long before the fingers of blue mist curled down the valley." Buck stopped.

"What happened next?" Vin asked.

"Next, everyone in THIS camp went to bed and fell fast asleep."

"NO! I want to hear more."

"Vin, are we going to have this same argument every night? If so, Buck doesn't have to tell a story at all. I can simply send you to bed when JD falls asleep."

"I'm sorry. I just don't like ta wait."

"I know Vin, but that's half of the fun, is the waitin'. Now off to bed all of you."

The next day found the brothers exploring the nearby woods. Looking for something to hit with his slingshot, Vin and Ezra came upon an old abandoned cabin. Some of the windows were still in good shape, so Vin started aiming at the glass. After the first few stones entered the windows, the boys heard Chris approach.

"What are you boys doing?"

Vin wasn't sure if he could be in trouble or not. He knew not to break windows but this cabin looked abandoned. "Just shootin'."

"Are you supposed to be shooting out windows?"

"No sir, but I don't think anyone lives here."

"You're right that no one lives here but I really don't want you playing near it. The floors aren't safe and neither is the roof. Pa and I were gonna tear it down the last time we were up here, but never got around to it."

"If yer gonna tear it down anyway..." Vin pleaded with his eyes.

"If I let you shoot the windows out, you have to make me a promise."

"What?"

"That you won't shoot out windows anywhere else and that you will stay out of the cabin. It's dangerous."

"I promise."

"Than go ahead. Keep an ear out for the bell."

"Thanks Chris." Vin shot out all of the windows and showed Ezra how to shoot. Both were naturals.

That evening, everyone was eager for JD to go to sleep and for Buck to continue his story.

"Well, one day," Buck started, "The three boys spotted and abandoned cabin, high in the valley."

Vin looked at Chris quickly and Chris smiled back. "It's not the same cabin Cowboy."

When Buck looked confused, Chris explained, "Vin and Ezra found Pa's old hunting shack in the woods. I let them shoot the windows out with Vin's slingshot, but they promised to stay out of the cabin. That goes for all of you, understand?"

Chris heard 'yes sirs' and smiled at Buck. "Go ahead Buck."

"The cabin's door was unlocked and after checking it out they found it fully furnished, apparently abandoned by the owner. That night they asked the old timers about this cabin, so conveniently located high in the valley closer to the richer source of placer deposits which they had worked their way to.

"'Stay in the cabin by day, if you must. But whatever you do, get back to this camp by nightfall. Don't let your greed cause you to get caught out there over night. That cabin wasn't abandoned. The owner was Bill Murphy, who some say was the first prospector in this valley. He died in that cabin and by the way they found him it was a horrible death. The same horrible death that kills anyone caught by the blue mist.'

"More than that the old timers couldn't tell them. But they were obviously afraid for their lives. The valley and its blue mist were holding some terrible secret and these old men would be of no help in solving the mystery.

"Mike, one of the three boys, finally had enough of the long journey back down to the tent camp, especially when there was a fully equipped cabin so close to their diggings. He announced one day that he was spending the night in the cabin. That morning he took his bedding, several days worth of food and packed them along to the diggings. Tom and Roy tried to talk him out of it.

"Why take the chance?" Tom asked. "We have it OK at the tent camp. We're making good money. And it's obvious something terrible has happened in this valley. Those old miners aren't afraid of anything, except the blue mist. Let's just stay together and forget about that cabin!'

"Mike wouldn't hear of it. He worked with them during the day, but that night Tom and Roy had to return to the tent camp without him. As the night wore on, they waited the coming of the mist.

"About 10 PM as usual, the fingers of thick, blue mist curled through the tent camp, soon blacking out all of the twinkling light from the cabin up the valley. Finally, about 1AM they heard something, they thought, way up the valley, possibly from the cabin. Tom couldn't believe that they had let Mike stay up there alone. They had promised each other that they would stick together, no matter what. The old prospectors were furious that they had let Mike stay up there, for they had learned to like these three boys from the East. They didn't want anything to happen to them, and here they had gone and challenged the deadly blue mist." Buck paused.

"Are you stopping?" Vin asked.

"The night was terribly long." Buck continued. "Tom and Roy couldn't sleep that night as they waited for dawn so they could scramble up the valley to the cabin. The old prospectors also spent the night awake, worrying about their new friend.

"But morning finally did come and they left as soon as the sun shined into the valley over the mountains, burning off the blue mist and sending light into the dark valley."

"And?" Vin whispered.

"And," Buck paused and grinned at Chris, "I'll tell you more tomorrow."

"What?" Ezra hollered and then whispered "what?" as JD stirred.

"More tomorrow. It's late and time for bed."

"Okay, but Mike better be okay." Vin mumbled as he headed for bed.

Buck just laughed as he tucked JD into his bedroll.