by Rita Hestand
Chapter Eighteen
When Wilma came back, Millie was asleep under the tree. She hadn't moved.
"Hey there sleepyhead." Wilma chuckled.
Millie opened her eyes, glad she was saved from the dream she was having. "Did you write your name on the rock?"
"No I'm saving that for Independence Rock. I just got a good look at it, it is so beautiful. I'll remember it always."
"Are they very different? The two rocks?"
"So I'm told. Chimney Rock, looks like a big long chimney as you can see, But Independence Rock is just a big old flat rock. And it's got so many names on it that have come this way. Everyone is so excited about seeing the names there."
They chuckled.
It was nearly nightfall and they decided to camp there because everyone seemed to have a lot to talk about since going up to Chimney Rock.
"I can't wait to get to Independence Rock. There are some big names on that rock, let me tell you. At least that's what I've been told." Wilma cackled at supper.
"Really?"
"Don't know nary a one of them but some do." Wilma told her. "Now you and me will be up there. We'll make our mark in this land, Millie."
Millie smiled and nodded.
Well rested, she cooked supper this time and Wilma was glad to sit in her rocking chair and just relax. Millie figured it was the least she could do for Wilma after that long walk up to Chimney Rock. She'd nursed the beans most of the day for her and made cornbread and fried some cakes and potatoes.
"This is good." Wilma chuckled. "I think because I didn't cook it."
"Thanks. I'm sorry I haven't done more of the cooking, but why don't you let me for a while." Millie encouraged.
"You don't mind?"
"Not at all. It seems I owe you for this trip, and although I can't pay you in cash. I'd like to think I pulled my weight at least." Millie tried to apologize. "You can still give me recipes though; I love to try new things."
"Honey, you managing that team of mine is a Godsend. I'm so glad you are going on to Oregon and that you and Joe have settled things between you. I can tell such a difference in Joe. I've never seen that boy so happy, nor you."
"Yeah, I've been such a love struck fool, Wilma. You should have heard him. The things he said were so beautiful. There's no way I could leave him after that. I just couldn't hold back any longer. I love him so…" Millie told her.
"Down right poetic is he?" Wilma encouraged her.
Millie shook her head and laughed. "Oh Wilma I must be acting like Janet now; I'm so love struck."
"Darlin' that's good. You're a woman in love. And quite frankly I'm glad to see it."
"We've got such plans Wilma. He's going to court me, until we reach Oregon, then he's going to get A.J. to marry us. Not because I disrespect the Shaman's ceremony, but because I want to make sure we are wed by all the laws of the land. I insisted we stay there long enough for a honeymoon too. And I told him I wanted a place, close to you so we could visit. I'll need lots of help with my babies, you know." Millie admitted.
"Oh my, this is so good to know. I never dreamed. I'm so happy for you Millie, you deserve it. And what about Matt Hudson? Have you finally put that away from you?"
"I promised never to bring him up again. I don't know what will happen Wilma, but I'm taking your advice for once and letting the Lord handle him."
"That's the spirit honey."
"You know that little gal, Janet is sure sweet on Joe. But Wilma, she's only sixteen. For most men I'd say that would be quite a temptation. She has stars in her eyes, but I'm afraid if her father knew it, she'd be in big trouble. At least I hope she would." Millie shook her head.
"Young girls often set their sites on a man that is not suitable for their age. I don't know why, but they do. Joe's not dumb enough to fall for something like that."
"No, he isn't. But she's the prettiest thing I have ever seen. Her eyes and hair are gorgeous." Millie sighed. "You know, I'm no spring chicken any more. I didn't realize how much I'd aged until I met her. Then it hit me. I felt old around her."
"I don't think Joe thinks you are old. I've never seen him so happy. And I'm glad you are both being honest with yourselves. I knew there was something between you, even when he first met you. He was sure trying his best to ignore you existed. I should have known from that. Some men are scared witless of love you know."
"He told me he knew I was gonna be trouble. His trouble."
Wilma chuckled. "Aw…young love."
They traveled along in silence for a while, enjoying the scenery, as it was changing now, looking more like a rocky desert than a field of maize.
Millie enjoyed traveling with all these people and she loved practicing her medicine with them, but she wasn't a degreed doctor. That reality was one she would have to learn to live with. That was a real mistake.
Along the way now, Wilma got out and walked a ways and Millie admired her as Wilma was over middle age now. It seemed that walking was good for their health though and made the people stronger and more prone to fight off disease. But someone had to drive the wagon and Millie was elected.
A.J. ran a good crew of men, had a fair size remuda, and a small herd of cattle. He kept cautioning the people about accidents, with guns, with wagon wheels, and snakebites. The people listened to him too, at least most of them. The Mills wagons were beginning to accept the fact that A.J. knew what he was talking about.
But the day Joe came riding back to camp in such a hurry everyone crowded around him. "The Lakota are gathering near that next bluff. If we take the regular route they will hit us." He told A.J. and the crew who were standing around now. There was a lot of discussions going on.
"Can we go around them?" A.J. asked him.
"Maybe, but if we go around, we run into a box canyon and if they hit us there, we'll have no chance of getting out."
"Then straight ahead is the best way."
Joe nodded, "That's how I figure it, yes."
"What's got them so stirred?" A.J. couldn't see the reason for it.
"A lot of things. Too many trains through here in the past few months. The grazing land is wiped out, the water contaminated, it's got their hackles up. And I guess most of all, the buffalo are dwindling down." Joe explained. "The buffalo are being slaughtered, and the gold miners have really irritated them. They make such waste. Indians don't like that."
"Yeah, I guess that's what happens when you get their hackles up. Only we didn't do any of it." A.J. protested. "Well, I got to warn the people."
"Yes sir…" Joe nodded.
There were a few stragglers listening. "Gather around folks," A.J. encouraged everyone to listen. In minutes many of the people gathered.
He heard some woman in the background holler, "Another sermon from the wagon master."
A.J. ignored it. The look on his face was indulgent.
"From time to time we have to have these little talks, folks, so bear with me. Joe here, our scout says the Lakota are on the warpath. It ain't due to us, but the miners coming through here wanting gold, the buffalo being killed off and wasted, and the fact that we've polluted their waters is enough to get their dander up. And granted there have been a lot of things going wrong out here that aren't our fault, directly at least. The Lakota's are waiting down the canyon. If we go around, we'll really be boxed into a canyon. If we go straight, we'll run right into them. We could sit here a while, but they'd probably come attack us here if we wait. I'm for going on, but being prepared. But this is your train, and I'm not going to make the decision until I hear from you."
"How many are we talking about?"
"About a hundred," Joe answered them.
"Guns or arrows?" Another man asked.
"Arrows, but you must understand they are very accurate with arrows. They been using them for a long time. And the chances are, we'll lose some of you." Joe explained.
"Question is, can we hold them off?"
"With most the women fighting too, we are almost equa
lly numbered. So we got a fifty-fifty chance of making it through." A.J. told them.
"You saying we got no chance if we go around them?" One asked.
"If we go around, we'll eventually be boxed into the canyon and won't be able to get out or make a run for it." Joe explained tightly.
"Then meeting them head on is the only answer," Came the voice of an old man with more guts than sense.
Everyone turned to look at the old man. He had to be close to ninety, had no teeth and was short and skinny, but wise in years.
"Thank you Hutch."
"But we could be massacred." A woman yelled.
"There is seldom an Indian raid where they don't get a few. So as we get closer, we'll circle the wagons, and keep it tight as possible, stay under cover as much as you can, help your neighbor if they get in a bind. And load your guns because you are gonna need them." A.J. shook his head and looked to the ground.
Wilma and Millie listened. "Ever been in a skirmish Millie?"
"No…"
"Well get ready honey, because we're fixing to have one. How good a shot are you?"
"Pretty good. My Pa taught me."
"Let's go load our guns then." Wilma nodded.
But Millie was shaking now. The very thought of having to kill someone turned her stomach, she was a healer, not a killer, but these Indians meant business. Otherwise Joe wouldn't have said a thing. And she had to fight too, because it meant lives of innocent people.
As they oiled their guns and loaded them Joe swung by. "You ladies gonna be all right?"
Millie nodded silently. Wilma shrugged. "Right as rain."
"Millie, you handle the wagon, let Wilma do most of the shooting, you can keep these mules in control, she'll have a better chance of hitting something." Joe instructed.
Again Millie didn't say anything, just nodded. She didn't want Joe to know what a coward she was.
"And Millie…. if we have any injuries…"
"I'll be here." She nodded.
"Good." He stared into her eyes now and she couldn't not notice. "Bone up, get hard. You'll make it, sweetheart." He said lowly for her ears alone. The look on his face spoke of his love for her and it made her stronger.
She tried to smile but the enormity of what was about to happen hit her hard. She was a doctor, not an Indian fighter, her job was to save lives, not take them. This was real, not some dime novel from the city. She firmed her lips and nodded. Joe was right again, she had to bone up, get hard.
Wilma must have heard him as she offered a slight smile to Millie when he rode off. "That man's in love with you, in case you don't know it. I ain't never heard him call anyone sweetheart before…" She smiled again. "And you don't see him going around checking on all the other women, do you?"
"Will he be all right?" Millie asked staring after him.
"Him? Why honey, he's tough as nails when he has to be. He knows them Indians and he knows how to fight them. Don't you fret about him. He'll be fine. He's quite a man, Millie, and you'll see it."
"You know he's part Indian, don't you?"
"Yes, A.J. told me. Does that make a difference to you?"
"No, not at all. In fact, I rather like that. And it gives me more confidence in his ability to defend us too."
Millie loosened the reins for a moment. "You know I hadn't given it much thought until now, but he must have faced things like this many times. And he's still alive to tell it. He really is something, isn't he?"
"Glad you noticed that." Wilma smiled.
"In case something happens, I love you both!" Millie said softly, like a whisper.
"I know that honey, and I'm sure glad you told him, too."
She watched him going down the line talking to all he could reach. "Be careful Wilma, I don't want to lose you."
"You're burning oil girl," Wilma shook her head.
But Wilma went to rearranging things in the wagon and Millie had no idea what she was doing. "We got to get these sacks of sugar and oatmeal up here so they'll protect us once we circle the wagons. They need to go on both sides and us in the middle so we don't get hit by nothing. Once we stop we'll both have to use these guns."
Millie helped her move things around, fortifying everything. She felt safer, Wilma was a smart woman.
But it didn't stop her worrying over Joe. She was so afraid for him. He lived with danger all the time and she'd better get used to it.
They drove the wagons toward the canyon, as though they were unaware of what they might face, but when Joe motioned for them to circle all hell broke lose.
Gunfire, and arrows mixed and the whiz of the arrow made a strange eerie music.
Dust flew every which way and one man was hit almost immediately as he prepared to find himself a shooting place.
Millie was pulled between running to the man and shooting her gun.
"Wilma, cover me, I've got to check on that man…"
Wilma spotted the man slumped over the edge of his wagon. "I got you honey, go ahead."
Millie ran to the man, drug him under the wagon and began to doctor him. Joe spotted her and ran right behind her with his rifle blaring.
"What in hell do you think you are doing?" He hollered as he slid under the wagon with her.
"Helping this man. Can you take the arrow out?" She asked not even glancing at Joe's worried face.
He reached and jerked the arrow out of the man's shoulder. She put pressure on the wound and without a second thought cleaned his wound and sewed him back up, as she kept a needle and thread in her skirt hem.
"Will he be all right?"
"Yes, in time." She nodded.
"Stay under here," he ordered. He turned to look at her and kissed her hard, then left.
Before she knew what he was doing he dropped several big sacks of sugar and flour for her to protect herself with. "Be careful, sweetheart." He smiled and left.
Her heart pounded. Somehow his words gave her courage. But an arrow flew by her and brought her attention to the fight.
She placed the bags in front of her and using the man's handgun to shoot with as the man was out of it now. She wasn't terribly good with a six shooter, so she held the gun with both hands and laid it over a bag of sugar to steady it.
The raid lasted nearly an hour and when it stopped there were five people needing her skills. One was only a graze on the head, another was fatal as he caught the man in the chest. His wife huddled over him in tears. One child caught an arrow in his arm, when he was reloading his Pa's gun for him. Millie doctored him good, bandage his arm and put it in a sling and assured him he'd be fine in no time. The boy looked up at her and smiled. "My first fight."
"You did great, hon."
A woman was hit in the back and the arrow was deep inside her.
Her husband had pulled it out of her, but she was bleeding badly. First Millie stopped the bleeding, then sewed her up and disinfected the wound. Millie wasn't sure she'd make it, but she didn't tell her husband that. He was sure to have his hands full as they had six kids. The last one was an old man, he was hit in the leg and Millie treated him.
"Don't you fret old-timer; we'll get you some crutches you'll be as good as new." Millie assured him.
He chuckled. "I knew them redskins wouldn't get the best of me. I been in too many fights already. And I ain't done yet."
When it was over, Millie searched the train trying to find Joe, but she couldn't spot him.
It worried her until A.J. saw what she was looking for. "He's over by the water barrel…he's fine Millie." A.J. smiled at her.
"Thanks, A.J.." She started toward the barrel. He saw her, their eyes met and she moved to go to him, but just as she would have, Janet flew into his arms, kissing him.
Shocked for a second, Millie just stood there watching, but slowly began to move away. It wasn't the right time and she knew it.
Joe moved away from the girl and started to go after Millie but Janet pulled on his arm.
"Look," Joe stared at the young girl serio
usly. "You are a sweet young girl, but you are just a girl. Now, do you understand me?"
"I-I…guess so!" She cried and ran away.
Joe stood there staring after Millie. He hoped she'd understand.
Chapter Nineteen
The dust finally settled and the people began to realize how lucky they were. Joe wanted them moving out as soon as possible so A.J. shouted out his famous call, "Let's roll."
The wagons were quickly turned about and into a straight line, then moved along the pathway. The pathway had become an almost road there had been so many trains coming this way. Many of the graves had been put right in the roadway so as to trample down the grave so the animals wouldn't dig them up. As Millie noted them, her heart ached for those people, how many people would be soon forgotten?
The wheatgrass sparkled in the morning sun, occasionally they'd come upon a small patch of Goldenrods, a lovely wild flower. Prickly Poppies, and blue asters dotted the prairie making the dull flatness of the area more interesting. A few rocks stood in the distance,
There was no rest though, they had to push on out of the territory before the Indians decided to come back. Not only that but they had to reach Independence Rock by July or they'd catch snow before they hit Oregon. As it was, they tried to make sixteen miles a day, A.J. knew just how hard to push them. Most of the train walked. Wilma often walked but Millie would handle the wagon for her and Wilma was thankful of that. She had a good command over the mules now and it wasn't hard to manage.
With guns, the train stood a better chance of coming out of the fights with the Indians. Although arrows decorated every wagon and aside from the ones in the spokes of the wheels, they stayed there. There was no time to take them down there were so many.
Joe pushed them hard to get them away from the dangers.
"Will they be back, Joe?" A.J. asked catching up to him on horseback.
"Maybe. And maybe we showed them that we are hardier than they first imagined. My guess with as many trains that come through, they won't dwell on us."