CHAPTER FIVE
TAROWA YETASHTA
Robert slowly raised his hands. As he did so he stole a glance at his wife and children. Fear filled their eyes. Robert experienced a strange combination of heartbreak and terror. He was frightened for his family. He spoke with a trembling voice, “There’s no need for violence. You can take whatever you want. Just be quick about it and leave us in peace.”
Three rough, grimy men stepped out of the darkness. They all wore threadbare, nasty clothes and stained floppy hats. They each carried rusty muskets and had pistols tucked into their hunting belts.
The man who stood in the center responded angrily, “You aren’t in a position to be making any conditions, sir! We are in charge here, and I reckon we’ll help ourselves to whatever we want.”
The man to his right swung his musket toward Wappanakuk. “Now ain’t this somethin’, Tom? This here bunch has done gone and got themselves a pet Injun!” The man looked at Robert. “Reckon he does any tricks?”
Robert did not respond. Neither did Wappanakuk, who kept his hands in the air and stared glossy-eyed into the fire. His face showed no emotion and he completely ignored the three bandits.
The taunting man sprinted forward and jabbed the barrel of his musket in the Indian’s back and screeched, “I said, does your Injun do any tricks? Maybe he can do us a little war dance or call up some rain? We ain’t had a good rain in quite a spell.”
Again there was no response.
“Shut up, Shad,” commanded the man in the middle … the one called Tom. He was obviously the leader of the group. “We aren’t here to play, we’re here to take. Less talking and more taking. Now here’s what’s going to happen, folks You children are going to stay right where you are while the mister moves over by the big chief. Go on, mister fancy man. Snuggle up against that Injun friend of yours.”
Robert obeyed, his hands high in the air.
The robber grinned with satisfaction. “Good. That’s good. Keep doing what you’re told and you just might see daylight in the morning. Now Shad, you keep an eye on these nice folks by the fire. Ed, you take a look-see in that wagon and find out what manner of good stuff it’s got in it.”
The filthy man reached over and whipped Milly’s bonnet off of her head and grabbed a handful of her long hair, yanking her to her feet. Milly screamed in horror and pain.
Robert started to jump to his feet to protect his wife, but the highwayman standing behind him yanked his pistol from his belt and clubbed him over the head with it. It was a horrible blow. Robert went limp and passed out, almost landing in the fire. Wappanakuk reached over quickly and pulled him away from the coals.
“Now ain’t that a good Injun?” remarked the assailant who had struck Robert.
“Good work, Shad,” said the leader. “Ed, go check the wagon.”
Ed turned around and took three steps toward the rig. He stuck his face into the rear opening in the canvas.
He screamed, “Hey! There’s somebody in —”
He never finished his sentence. Inside the wagon there was a deafening explosion and brilliant flash of light. Someone had fired a pistol. Ed spun around, clutching at a bullet wound in his chest, and collapsed motionless in the dirt.
“What in the world?” exclaimed the man called Shad. He spun around and was lifting his musket to fire into the wagon. Just at that moment the canvas flap flew open and a single dark arm and shiny brown face emerged into the light of the campfire. And at the end of that arm was a pistol.
It was Frank!
He instantly pulled the trigger on the pistol, the spring releasing the hammer and slamming the flint forward into the frizzen. The pistol barked and sent its lead ball flying at the startled man. It struck him solidly in the center of his chest, knocking him off of his feet. The man landed flat on his back with a thud. He did not move.
The moment that Frank shot the second robber Wappanakuk jumped to his feet and lunged toward the leader … the man who held Milly in a headlock. The Indian screamed a blood-curdling battle cry as he attacked. The bandit threw Milly aside and reached for the pistol in his belt, but his hand never touched the wood. Wappanakuk’s pipe tomahawk was already airborne, leaving a trail of smoke in the air from the smoldering tobacco in its bowl. It impacted with a gigantic thump into the man’s chest. He collapsed onto the ground.
Another weapon discharged somewhere in the darkness. There was a fourth attacker who had remained hidden in the trees. The secret bandit had fired at Wappanakuk. A scream of frustration pierced the night as the man came running into the firelight with a pistol in his hand. He intended to shoot Wappanakuk. But before he could pull back the cock on his pistol another shot rang out. The man spun wildly to his left and screamed as a lead ball impacted his ribcage just below his heart. He collapsed motionless near the campfire.
That final shot was fired by Lewis Hammock. As the combat was raging around him, he reached beneath the blanket at his feet and retrieved his hunting rifle just as the fourth man fired his errant shot at Wappanakuk. Lewis had instinctively cocked and fired and brought down the last attacker.
The campsite was suddenly quiet. The smoke of rifle and pistol fire hung in a dull haze. Milly wept in shock.
Frank walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Miss Milly, why don’t you take the children around on the other side of the wagon?”
She kept staring and did not move.
Frank yelled rather loudly, “Miss Milly!”
Frank’s loud voice broke through the fog of her confusion. She nodded and gathered her younger children and took them around the wagon. Robert Hammock, still unconscious from the blow to his head, had missed the entire fight.
Wappanakuk was staring at Frank. Lewis saw a look of confusion on the Indian’s face. He said, “Wappanakuk, this is my big brother, Frank. He got hurt a few days ago and was sleeping in the wagon.”
An even deeper look of confusion showed on Wappanakuk’s face. Frank just grinned as he reloaded the pistol in his hand.
***
The sun was already steaming hot, and it was only mid-morning. Everyone was exhausted. No one had been able to sleep after the horrible events of the night before. The boys worked together to pack all of the family belongings back into the wagon. Finally, it was time for the Hammock family to depart.
Robert mounted his horse and then leaned over the pommel of his saddle to shake Wappanakuk’s hand. He spoke earnestly, “My friend, I cannot thank you enough for what you did for my family.”
Wappanakuk pumped his hand vigorously. “Robert, I am just glad that we defeated those horrible bandits, and that they will never harm another traveler on this highway. It was a great battle and a great victory over our enemies!”
He nodded toward Frank. “But let it be remembered that it was Frank who truly saved us all. I fear that we would all be dead had he not been so handy with a pistol.”
Frank, who was checking the straps on the wagon team, smiled and tipped his hat to the Indian.
Robert spoke with deep emotion, “Wappanakuk, I want you to know that you are welcome in my home and beside my fire at any time. If you ever wander down Georgia way, please seek us out and come for a visit.”
“I will, Robert. I promise. But you must be careful down there in Georgia. You will be living on the border of the Creek lands. You must remain alert!”
“I know, Wappanakuk. I will always be on the lookout.”
“I will think often of you and your family. You are fine people. But I fear deeply for you all in the coming days. I hear many rumors that the white men may soon go to war with one another in order to cast off the government of the English. There will be no escaping such a war anywhere in the colonies. It will also affect Georgia, as well. And like in the great war between the English and the French, it will be most difficult on the people native to this land.”
“I hope that you are wrong, Wappanakuk. I certainly think that it is foolish to go to war with England. Perhaps s
uch a war will not find its way to the frontiers of Georgia. I can always hope.”
“Indeed you can, my friend,” responded the gentle native.
Wappanakuk turned and walked toward Lewis, who stood waiting beside the wagon. He bowed gently at the waist and extended his hand to the boy.
“Lewis, I will forever owe you a debt of life and blood. You saved my life … that is certain. That last man would have killed me had it not been for your quick reaction and skillful shot. You will always be my brother and my friend.”
Lewis’s face flushed crimson with a mixture of pride and embarrassment. He removed his cocked hat with his free hand and responded sheepishly, “Thank you, Wappanakuk. You are most kind.”
The Indian held onto the boy’s hand and fixed his gaze deep into Lewis’s eyes. “I need you to hear me, Lewis, and understand. I am not speaking lightly. I mean every word that I say, from the depths of my heart. This is very important. My life has been made longer because of you. I have more days to live and enjoy this beautiful world because of you, and I want to give you some things to honor your gift to me. First, I want to give you something very personal.”
Wappanakuk reached around the back of his neck and lifted over his head a necklace of brilliant blue and green beads suspended on a thick thread. He placed the necklace around Lewis’s neck.
“Lewis, these beads represent my heritage and family. Each bead tells a very important part of the story of my people. I want you to keep them so that you will always remember me.”
“Thank you, Wappanakuk. I will wear them for the rest of my life.”
“This, too, is yours.” Wappanakuk placed a tomahawk in his hand. “This is a valuable tomahawk of the Cherokee people. It is a beautiful piece of art, yet it is also a powerful weapon. This tomahawk was carried by the man that you defeated in battle. And this is the hunting knife that he carried. By right of victory they are both yours. I urge you to carry them every day as you defend and help care for your family.”
Lewis received the weapons and dutifully tucked them inside his leather waist belt.
“And I want to give you something else, Lewis. Since you are now my blood brother, I want to bestow upon you a Waccon name that is worthy of my family. From now on, to me and among the Waccon people, you will be known as Tarowa Yetashta.”
Lewis was on the verge of crying. “What does that mean?” he asked.
“It means, ‘Little Warrior.’ And I know that you will live up to that name for all of the days of your life. You will always be a great warrior and defender of your family and your home. Now, go in peace and prosperity, Tarowa Yetashta.”
Lewis threw his arms around the Indian and hugged him tightly. Wappanakuk patted the boy’s shoulder and laughed with joy.
“Come along, Lewis,” encouraged Robert. “Our friend must return to his home today, and we must go in search of a new home.”
Lewis jumped energetically onto his horse and eased up alongside his father. Frank, obviously much better after several days of recuperation, was back in his seat on the wagon and prepared to drive the team.
Wappanakuk bent over and picked up his bundle of weapons, pulling the leather strap over his head and crossing it across his chest and left shoulder. He waved and said, “I wish peace and safe journey for the Hammock family of Georgia.”
And with that brief salute Wappanakuk turned and began to walk slowly and deliberately to the northwest.
Robert faced Lewis and Frank. “Let’s go, boys. No need to rush today. Just keep a steady pace. And everyone drink plenty of water. It looks like it’s going to be a scorcher.”
The Hammock clan guided their animals back onto the road and headed southwest, hoping to put some miles between themselves and the horror of the previous night.
CHAPTER SIX
ON TO GEORGIA!
Several days later the Hammocks reached Charlestown in South Carolina. It was the largest city in South Carolina, complete with a huge harbor and port. People of all imaginable races and nationalities walked the streets pursuing their trades and businesses. There were hundreds of street vendors hawking their wares. Little boys sold newspapers on street corners. The air had a thick and almost overwhelming smell of cook fires and stinky fish. The Hammock children poked their heads out of various holes in the wagon to observe the carnival of humanity in the streets.
Robert’s voice broke the colorful city’s hold on their eyes and thoughts. “Let’s board these horses for the night, do a little business, and find us a bed and a hot bath.”
“A hot bath!” exclaimed Milly. “That will be magnificent!”
After securing a livery to shelter their horses and wagon and finding suitable lodging for the night in a decent boarding house, the family went in search of supplies. Robert purchased a sack of dried beans and a large sack of rice, a staple in the local South Carolina diet. He also replenished their supply of tea, salt, and sugar. A small keg of salted pork and a similar keg of salted beef finished their supply order. They hauled all of the goods back to the wagon and stowed them safely beneath their canvas cover.
They quickly sought out a bath house and laundry so that they could all have a proper wash and a thorough cleaning of their clothes. Afterwards they located a nice tavern on the same street as their lodging and enjoyed a tasty meal of roasted beef with potatoes and carrots accompanied by copious quantities of steaming, delicious bread.
The remainder of their evening in Charlestown was uneventful … very different from their experiences in the North Carolina city of New Bern. Sleep came very easily that night in the comfort of warm feather beds.
Robert roused the family and prepared them for travel shortly before sunrise the next morning. He was eager to get out of the overcrowded city. Frank and Lewis fetched the horses and rig from the livery and tied them up in front of the boarding house. The boys loaded the family’s personal boxes and bags into the wagon. As the daylight overcame the darkness of the dawn they were just preparing to mount up and continue southward when they heard a loud voice calling from somewhere down the street.
“Robert Hammock!”
Robert, somewhat confused, looked around and tried to identify a familiar face in the growing early morning crowd, but he saw none. Thinking it a fluke, he turned his attention back toward the buckles on his saddle. Then he heard it again.
“Hello there! Robert Hammock of Georgia!”
Lewis shouted, “Look, Papa! It’s Mr. Chandler!”
Robert spun around and at last saw the familiar of Christopher Chandler.
“Chris!” Robert exclaimed. “I thought you folks would already be in Savannah by now!”
The young fellow ran toward Robert. He shook Robert’s hand enthusiastically and smiled with pleasure at having encountered the Hammock family again.
“Well, Robert, we had a setback. The other families moved on four days ago. They headed straight for Augusta. But we had to stay behind.”
Milly interrupted the conversation. “What happened, Mr. Chandler? Is dear Esther all right?”
Chris removed his hat and nodded courteously at Milly. “Ma’am, she’s fine in body, but she’s truly suffering in her soul.” The young man’s chin dropped to his chest and his countenance fell. A tear formed in his right eye, swelled, and then ran down his cheek.
Milly inquired further, “Chris, what’s wrong?”
“It’s our baby, Agnes.”
“Is the child ill? I have some medicine. We can tend to her right now!” Milly rose to climb over the wagon seat and fetch the medicine bag from its place in the wagon.
“It’s no use, Miss Milly. Our baby is gone. She came down with a fever right about the time we got into South Carolina. We nursed her as best we could until we got to Charlestown. She held on for a bit, but it was just too much for her tiny body. She passed away the day before yesterday.” The young man was heartbroken.
“Oh, Chris, I am so very sorry!” Milly climbed down from the wagon and walked to the man, taking ge
ntle hold of his arm. “You must take me to Esther right now. I will help tend to her.”
Christopher shook his head. “I don’t want to trouble you good folks. You’re all set to finish this last leg of the journey to Georgia.”
Robert spoke up, “We can minister to your wife along the way, Chris. Milly can ride with her in your wagon. Our little ones are big enough to take care of themselves. We’ll manage just fine. We have just another three days or so to Savannah. Surely Milly can help restore her mind and spirit in three days. Are you prepared to leave now?”
“Yes, sir. I have all of our belongings and provisions loaded and ready. I’ll just need to fetch the wagon and team and gather the few personal belongings we still have in the boarding house.”
“I’ll go with you now and help finish your packing and then help get Esther in the wagon,” volunteered Milly. “Robert and the kids will wait for us and then we’ll all head south together. Isn’t that right, Robert?”
“Indeed. We will go ahead and get out of the city. We’ll be waiting for you just outside of town on the Charlestown-Savannah Trail. I promise that we’ll be right on the shoulder of the road. You won’t miss us.”
Chris said, “I don’t know how I can ever repay you folks.”
Robert shook his hand firmly. “You can repay me by walking into the Savannah land office with me and claiming a land grant as my neighbor.” Robert smiled warmly.
Chris smiled back. “I can do that, Robert.”
“Good. Now go get your bride and let’s get rolling toward our new homes. Time’s a wasting! I hear Georgia calling!”
“Yes, sir. I’ll see you in a bit.” The young man offered Milly his arm in a most gentlemanly manner and escorted her up the street toward his boarding house.
Little Warrior: Boy Patriot of Georgia (Patriot Kids of the American Revolution Series Book 2) Page 5