mma stirred in Josiah's arms, tired from the concerns of the previous day, but dimly aware that it was probably morning. Her eyes fluttered open, and she found Cora sitting on her buffalo robe, while Grandpap and Mary continued their slumber.

Trying to loosen Josiah's embrace, Emma struggled against the sleeping man until he finally awakened enough to let her go. "Sometimes, Mr. Brown, I don't think you know your own strength!"

Yawning, Josiah only grinned and closed his eyes to get more sleep.

The sound of Emma's voice stirred Grandpap, and he pulled his stiff frame off the ground to go outside and find a tree to relieve himself. Mary whimpered at the cold draft Grandpap had left by tossing aside their blankets, and Cora quickly replaced the covers.

"Should I make breakfast?" Emma asked Cora in a low hush, so she wouldn't disturb Mary. "There's still some pemmican left."

Cora nodded. Her face suddenly became concerned, and Emma turned to see what Cora was looking at. There, on the buffalo robes, Josiah was slowly and painfully climbing to his feet. He winced as the flesh on his back pulled tight, but Josiah didn't stop until he was standing.

"Lay back down! You should be resting!" scolded Emma.

Bare-chested, Josiah passed the women on his way to the door. "I need to make a puddle," he said urgently. He had no shirt or coat, but seemed to not care as he quickly disappeared outside.

Dismayed, Emma grabbed a blanket and rushed after Josiah. He was standing at the recently dug latrine, (a hole in the ground), when Emma caught up to him and quickly covered his shoulders with the blanket. Modestly averting her eyes from Josiah's yellow stream, Emma ran back to the cabin with the sound of his laughter in her ears.

Trying to ignore Josiah's howls, Emma stoked the morning fire while Cora's inquisitive eyes prodded her for an explanation.

"He's just teasing," said Emma.

Just then, Grandpap trudged in from outside, planting himself near the fire to enjoy some food and smoke his tobacco pipe.

Soon after, Josiah returned to his bed. He looked frozen, but warmer than he would have been, had Emma not brought the blanket. His eyes twinkled with amusement as Emma gave him his food, but he said nothing and ate his breakfast without teasing her any further.

Now awake, Mary munched on her pemmican, while her dark eyes quietly observed the large man on the buffalo robes.