The Rusty Gold Pan

 by Sara M. (she used a contest picture to simply write a fan fiction. Enjoy!)

“Yikes, someone’s coming, we gotta get outta here,” Zeke Marsh said to his twin brother, Zak, “there’s someone coming.” he repeated

Zak’s eyes widened, “Let’s go!” he said in a hushed whisper, “we gotta pack up!”

Zeke nodded in agreement so they packed up, Zak packed the tent while his identical brother got the pans and the few cans of food. Zak and Zeke were panning for gold on other peoples claims so they had to get out of there whenever they thought someone might be coming. Zeke was in such a rush to get everything packed he didn't make sure it was nice and tight. A rusty gold pan fell out, it was Zak’s pan, they used them even though they were very rusty. Zak did not notice, “Zeke? Ready?”

“Yup,” he answered and they slipped away quietly,

 

****

Jem Coulter was walking along the river bank when he heard someone talking, ”Someone’s coming” was the only thing he heard and he hid in some bushes, it wasn’t worth the risk to see who it was, gold panners were sometimes pretty rough. He stayed in the bushes, he heard a stick crack behind him, he spun around, it was his sister Ellie, “Roasted rattlesnakes, Ellie, what are you doing here?” he demanded in a low whisper, 

Ellie glared at him, “Should I answer that and why are you whispering?”

Jem sighed, “Hush, I heard someone talking ahead of us,”

Eille’s eyes grew big, she didn’ say a word but sid lower in the bushes. Jem sighed gratefully, at least his sister was listening to him. He did care for his sister but it sometimes got annoying when she followed him everywhere. He focused his eyes ahead of him, he saw a flash of faded blue, it was Zak’s shirt but Jem didn’t know that. Jem stayed where he was for a few minutes and then decided the coast was clear, he crawled forward to make sure it was safe, he saw a clearing but there was no sign of anyone in it or around it so Jem stood up, Ellie followed the suit.  

“What was it, Jem?” he voice was strong

Jem shook his head, did his sister ever get scared? “I heard someone talking, they said ‘someones coming’ did they mean us?” Jem asked, not really expecting an answer but Ellie answered anyway

“I think they did mean us, wait, what’s that?” Ellie pointed in the tall grass off to the side, Jem frowned and hurried forward, Ellie was right behind him. “It’s a gold pan.” Jem stated, he leaned over and picked it up, he and Ellie examined the gold pan carefully, it was very old and very rusty, but, it still looked like it had been used recently. 

“Let’s look around for more things,” Ellie advanced forward. 

“Okay,”

They searched for a while and were about to give up when Ellie yelled out, “I found something!” she picked up a pocket knife and held it out, Jem hurried over,

“A pocket knife? Why would a pocket knife be laying here? Besides, it looks almost new!” exclaimed Jem  

“I don’t know Jem, I don’t know,” Ellie shook her head

“I don’t know either, Ellie. I do know we better get back before Papa starts looking for us.”

“You're probably right,” Ellie agreed

Jem was surprised, about a year ago Ellie would not agree with him but lately she listened to what he had said and agreed. Is this what a young lady does? Jem wondered as they started for home,

“You look real serious, Jem, whatcht’s thinkin? Ellie asked and giggled,

Somethings never change, Jem smiled, “I was thinking about you, sis,” he said

“Me? What did I do?” Ellie looked worried

Jem laughed, “Nothing, Ellie, you’re just growing up to be a youn-” Jem trailed off blushing 

Ellie laughed too, “You mean a young lady?” she asked though her giggles

“Race you home!” Jem shouted and took off, he looked behind him to see Ellie going down a side street, he spun around and chased after her only to find she wasn’t there. “What?” Jem was puzzled so he went back out to the main street and ran home that way. He was out of breath when he arrived, he spotted Ellie sitting on the porch steps.  

“What?! How did you get here so fast?” he asked, sticking the pocketknife and gold pan under the steps.

Ellie smiled smugly, “That’s for me to know and you to find out,” she said and stood“And Aunt Rose has supper waiting,” 

Jem stared at his sister, “Ellie!” he said and chased her inside,

“No running in the house!” exclaimed Aunt Rose when they almost bumped into her

“Sorry, Aunt Rose,” Ellie and Jem said in unison 

“Where have you been? I looked everywhere for you?” asked their cousin, Nathan.

“I’ll tell you later,” Jem said, he had grown to appreciate his greenhorn cousin, even if he didn’t know a lot about the farm.

“We are having beans and bread for supper, where is Matthew?” asked Aunt Rose,

“I’m not sure where Papa is,” said Ellie,

“I’m here” their papa’s voice came through the door and Papa stepped in, “Am I late?” 

“No, not really,” answered his sister, Rose Tyson

Papa smiled, “Let’s eat!” they dug in, Jem secretly did not like beans but he had to eat them, he didn’t want to hurt his Aunt’s feelings.  

 

After supper Jem, Ellie and Nathen met outside, “So, were you two this afternoon?” Nathen asked

Ellie told the story, how they came across the gold pan and pocket knife and heard someone talking.

“Wow, who would they be?” Nathen asked

“We don’t know.” Ellie and Jem replied

 

*** 

Zak and Zeke traveled far and fast, they soon reached a small creek that looked promising for gold, they looked around, there was a few markers that showed this spot was already claimed but Zeke and Zak stayed there anyway, Zak was starting to unpack when he notice his pan was missing, he searched frantically though the two bundles but there was not sign of it, he was about to tell Zeke when he let out a started shout and threw his gold pan in the bushes, “My pocket knife! It’s gone!” he shouted 

“So is my gold pan!” 

Zeke froze, “Do you think they got left behind.” it was a question and statement at the same time, 

Zak nodded miserably “What do we do?”

“Go back,” they stood up, giving no thought to their bundles they marched back to the area they were just at.

 

****

Nathan, Jem and Ellie decided to go for a walk and try and find more about the pocketknife and gold pan, they followed the creek up to the mountain when they spotted two bundles laying on the ground, “Who’s and what are these?” asked Ellie

The three went to investigate, on the side of the bag there was a name ‘Zak’ and the other bag said ‘Zeke’ ‘Who are Zak and Zeke? And why are they on this gold claim? I know it's not theirs, it's Strike-it-Rich Sam’s, we come here all the time together.” said Jem, puzzled, 

“I’m not sure but we better take this stuff and get out of here,” Nathan said looking around nervously.

For once Jem didn’t think Nathan was being silly, they better get out of here now, he hosted one bag on his shoulder and Nathen took the other one. Ellie found another gold pan that looked like it was thrown in the bushes and she picked it up, “Jem, another gold pan,”

“Really?” Jem’s eyes shown with interest “We better check this stuff out somewhere else in case they come back,” he added

“Do you think it’s one person or two?” Ellie asked

“Two, no man by himself could carry this so far and fast,” answered Jem, while trying to walk steadily, the bags were heavy! Nathan was having the same problem.

 

****

“Where in the world did my gold pan go?” Zak said, pacing the area “We looked everywhere around here!”  

“Who cares about a rusty gold pan, it’s here somewhere. Now my pocket knife, that’s a little different, someone would take it if they found it, I’m sure, but a gold pan, nay, there’s many of those, besides, who would take it?” Zeke said

“Well, it’s not here so someone took it.” Zak said

“Wait a minute, if someone took a rusty gold pan and a pocket knife, if they find our bags they will take those! They're full of gold!” Zeke shouted, he turned and ran the long distance to where they had left their bags. Zak followed close behind. Zeke pulled up short, “The bags are gone, gone,” he repeated 

“No! They can’t be! Zak pushed forward and saw for himself, the bags were, indeed, gone.

“Who took them?” Zak asked

“You know how I heard someone coming?” 

Zak nodded

“I bet they came back and found the gold pan and knife, then they came here and found the gold and the bags.” Zeke finished,

“Yeah, but how does that help us?”

Zeke sighed, he didn’t have an answer

 

****

Jem, Ellie and Nathen got away in plenty of time, they went straight to the farm, Jem’s back was aching, “Only a bit farther,” he said to himself and out loud he said “Let’s go in the barn where no one can see us,” 

Nathan and Ellie agreed.

 

At the barn they set the bags down, “Should we open them?” asked Ellie

“We took them all the way here and I want to see what’s so heavy and why they were there in the first place, so yes.” said Jem

“Okay” Ellie said, “Nathan?” she asked

“I guess so,”

Jem opened the bags and sat back with his mouth open, “Look! Ellie, Nathan! Have you ever seen so much gold?!” he exclaimed

“Wow, and no I haven't.” said Nathan

“I haven’t either,” Ellie agreed

“Who are Zak and Zeke and why was the gold left there?” Nathan wondered aloud,

“My best guess is they noticed the pan and knife were missing and they wanted to find them and left their bags, they were likely to come back and get them but we took them. I think they are claim jumpers, no one would have this much gold in one claim.” said Jem

“Claim jumpers?” Ellie asked, eyes wide

“It looks that way,” Jem answered

“Should we tell Papa and Aunt Rose?” asked Ellie

“We should tell Uncle Matt but don’t tell Mom, she will just worry about it,” Nathan spoke up,

“I was thinking the same thing,” agreed Jem, “Ellie, don’t say a word about this to Aunt Rose, when Papa comes home we will show him. Okay, Ellie, Nathen?” 

“Okay,” Ellie said

Nathan nodded.

 

***

Papa was deep in thought, there had been reports of two men jumping other peoples gold claims and taking their gold, so far there wasn’t any sign of them. Matthew Coulter was suspicious of a few men in town but there wasn’t any proof. He turned his horse into the ranch drive and trotted to the barn, he dismounted and opened the door to see his two children and nephew.  “Hey! What are you three doing in here?” Matt was very surprised, they were never usually in the barn!

“Papa,” Jem motioned to bags

“Huh?” 

“Papa!” Ellie was so excited she stuttered when she tried to tell him about the bags,

“Slow down Ellie, what’s going on?” he asked

Jem, Ellie told the whole story, Nathan chipped in every once a while.

“You found all this out today alone?” Matt asked

“Yes,” Ellie

“We did” Jem added

“I bet those people, you said Zak and Zeke?” Jem nodded so Papa went on, “are the claim jumpers that I’ve been getting reports about!” he said excitedly, he finally had a lead!

Jem’s eyes widened, “I bet they are too,” he agreed.

 

***

Zak and Zeke decided to go into the town the next day, they had to get their bags and gold back. They were about to go into a store to ask around when they noticed the sheriff watching them, “Zak, act natural, the sheriff’s watching us,” Zeke hissed then wished he didn’t say anything because Zak was frightened and couldn't act natural, “Sure is a nice day!” he said way to loudly, 

Zeke knew they were in for it, the sheriff’s eyes shot up as he watched them, Zak noticed this and grew even more worried, “Howdy sir, I mean, sheriff!” he walked up to him

“Hi, I’m Sheriff Coulter, and you are?” the sheriff asked

“Hi Sheriff Coulter! The name is Zak Marsh and this is my brother Zeke!” he said very loudly

“Zak, come here!” Zeke hissed, hoping the sheriff couldn't hear him

“Talk to you later, Sheriff!” Zak said, again much too loud.

They turned the corner, “Zak! What has gotten into you?! I can’t believe you told our real names!” Zeke exclaimed not bothering to whisper

“I’m sorry! It’s hard to act natural when there’s a sheriff watching you!” answered Zak

“Next time, tell everyone our names are Karen and Kerry Lake you’re Kerry, I’m Karen, got it?” Zeke demanded 

“Yup, understood, Zeke.’ Zak said,

“No no! Call me Karen from now on, okay?” Zeke said, not knowing ‘Karen’ was a girl’s name. 

 

***

Sheriff Matthew Coulter watched the men go, no Zeke and Zak, he corrected himself, why did Zak talk so loud and all nervous-like? Matt frowned and was about to follow them when he heard raised voices, it was Zak and Zeke talking around the corner, “Their changing names? What?? Karen? The man, Zeke, is now Karen? Well! That’s a girl's name, and the other now? It’s going to be Kerry? What in the world? These are not the claim jumpers, are they? Who are they really? Why are they in town if they are claim jumpers?” all this went though his mind as he listened “Wait a minute, Zeke and Zak are the names on the bags Jem Ellie and Nathan found yesterday! That must be why they are in town, likely asking about robbers, ha! They likely think a robber found their bags and stole them, my guess, but I have to get proof first before I arrest them.” Matt realized all of this in an instant. He saw a friend of Jem’s, “Hey, I'm Jem Coulter’s father, can you go get Jem? He’s at the farm.” Matt asked and he gave the boy a silver coin.

“I sure can, Sheriff Coulter!” the boy took off in the direction of the farm

Matt wanted Jem to come because he would know more about the bags and such, Jem and Ellie were in the barn all evening looking over the stuff inside the bags yesterday.

 

****

The boy who was named Mike reached the farm, he tapped on the door lightly and the women came out, “Yes?” she asked

“Um, hi, I am looking for Jem Coulter,” he said

“Jeremiah? He’s in the barn with his sister.” she answered, 

“Okay, thank you ma'am, have a nice day!” Mike turned and went to the barn

“Hiya Mike! What are you doing here?” Jem jumped up, so did Ellie

“Hi Ellie, Jem, your papa’s looking for you, he sent me here.” Mike said

“He is? Why? What’s going on?” Jem asked anxiously

“He didn’t say but he wanted you in town, he was on Main Street.” 

“I’m leaving now, thanks for coming, Mike, to get me,” Jem went outside, Ellie and Mike followed, 

“I’m coming with you,” stated Ellie, she didn’t wait for an answer but went inside and told Aunt Rose where she and Jem were going. She came back out and had changed out of a dress into overalls, “Shh, Aunt Rose doesn't know,” Ellie held a finger to her lips. “Let’s go,” to her surprise Jem didn’t protest but tacked up a horse and pulled Ellie up behind him, 

“Mike? You can get on too.” Jem added “He can take three people,”

“Thanks Jem,” Mike said gratefully and he pulled himself up and they trotted to town, they let Mike off at Side Street while Jem and Ellie continued to Main Street “There’s Papa!” called out Ellie, she spotted him 

His face showed his surprise as he came near “Hey Jem, Hey Ellie, what’s with this?”

“It’s not Jem’s fault I came, I wanted to see what’s going on,” Ellie blurt out

“Ellie,” but Papa was grinning

He turned serious, “Jem, Ellie, -” he told them what had happened and why he had sent for Jem. “You see, I’m pretty sure those are the men who are the claim jumpers but I don’t have any proof,”

Ellie spoke up, “I do,” she whipped out a handkerchief, it had ZM in the corner, “Zak or Zeke Marsh, I saw this when Jem and Nathan were carrying the bags to our barn, I forgot about it till now. See? Half of the fabric is missing, I bet one of them will have the other piece.” she stated with a smile.

Papa’s jaw dropped, “Wow! I can’t believe this! Come on, let’s find the Marsh’s.”

 

*****

“My handkerchief ripped! Look, Zeke!” Zak held it out, sure enough half of it was missing.

“Oh no, this whole thing is not going as planned!” Zeke groaned but quickly stood when a person walked by, the man stopped, “Oh, hi! Are you new to this town, I don’t believe I saw you before,” he said

“We just got here, I’m Karen and this is my brother Kerry.”

“Karen you say?” the man had a funny look on his face

“Yup, my name is Karen.” Zeke answered

The man chuckled and went on his way. The brothers kept walking along and another person stopped them “Hi, my name is Dan Williams, who are you?” he asked in a friendly way 

“ I’m Karen and this is my brother Kerry.” Zeke said

“Karen?  Okay,” the man laughed and kept walking.

“Why is everyone laughing when we say our names?” Zeke asked Zak in a low tone

“I don’t know,” Zak answered quietly. 

“Now what?” asked Zeke, 

“Nothing, the sheriff approaching us,” 

“Hey Marsh’s” the sheriff said when he reached them

“Hi Sheriff, I’m Karen and this is my brother Kerry,” Zeke had forgotten they already told their names

“Karen!!” the sheriff laughed, “You said your names were Zak and Zeke! Not Karen and Kerry!” 

“Oh, that’s right,” Zeke said

“And, Karen is a girl’s name!” the sheriff exclaimed 

Zeke froze, no wonder everyone was laughing when they said their names were Karen and Kerry! “What do you want, Sheriff?” he asked

Zeke and Zak watched as Sheriff Coulter’s face grew hard, “I found this and wondered if it was yours.” he held his piece of handkerchief out

“You found it!” Zak yanked his piece out, he took both pieces and they matched,

 

****

Matt watched Zak match the handkerchief, “I have proof these two are the gold claim jumpers, a handkerchief was the proof I needed!” he thought, “Won’t you two come for a walk with me around town and I will show you around?” he asked them

Zeke looked worried for a minute but he agreed, so did Zak. Matt hoped to show them everywhere and show them the jail and get them in there, somehow, he thought

Matt took them all around town and they neared the town jail, “Come, I’ll have you meet my deputies,” he opened the door for them and when they walked in he locked it. 

“These are a few empty jail cells, the office part is up there, let’s look inside one of these real quick,” Matt said

 

****

Since the sheriff was friendly Zak and Zeke had let their guard down, the sheriff didn’t have any proof anyway. Or so they thought! Zeke and Zak walked in the jail cell, usually they would never do such a thing but they weren't really paying attention. “Wham!” they heard the jail door slam close, they spun around to see the jail door locked and the sheriff staring at them. “Why did you lock us in here????” Zak asked nervously 

“I know who you are, you are the two gold claim jumpers I’ve been hearing about, the handkerchief gave the proof I needed.” the sheriff voice was so low they barely heard him,

 

*****

Jem and Ellie were hidden in another jail cell when Zak, Zeke and Papa walked in, they quietly went and locked all the doors just in case they knew what was happening and hid again. When Papa locked the jail cell door where Zak and Zeke were, Ellie and Jem jumped out from where they hid, “We did it Papa!” Ellie exclaimed,

“We sure did,” Papa ruffled Ellie’s hair, “I’m grateful you found that rusty gold pan, it helped me solve this, we caught the claim jumpers!” he added 

“I am too, Papa,” Jem said, Ellie agreed.