The Delivery

by James Edwin Branch

  “I guess I’m going to have to ask you to fetch us some water from that stream out there,” she finally told him.

  Uriah nodded as soon as he heard her and quickly found an old pot to hold the water. He rushed out the door like she’d lit the fire under him instead of inside the rock fireplace.

  After a few minutes, he returned with the pot filled to the brim with water from the stream.

  “Sorry, ma’am, I didn’t think much about the water before you asked me.”

  She just smiled, took the pot from him, and after removing some of it, she placed the greens along with some of the vegetables in the remaining water and hung it over the fire from a hook in the fireplace.

  It wasn’t long before the smell of the vegetable stew began to fill the cabin.

  She rummaged through the things in the cabin and found some old spices in sealed containers. She decided to take a chance and use them. As she cooked she began to tell Uriah about the book she’d found.

  That book I’ve been reading is a journal, the story of the family that lived here. They were the Kingman family. This ridge is named after them. The last one of them left nearly two years ago now. After his family passed away, the father went off to find a place without so many memories.

  “What happened to them?” Uriah asked.

  “Influenza took the wife and their young son.”

  “I suppose I’d feel the same way about leaving here,” Uriah commented.

  She smiled as she stirred the stew and served it up, telling him, “I suppose I would too.”

  Both of them were beginning to see the differences between them being stripped away. He was a black ex-slave and she was a white schoolteacher from New England. Though it seemed unlikely, they were becoming friends. The journey they found themselves on was beginning to bond them as the wilderness and the forces of nature continued to strip away their differences.

  Chapter 5

  The Visitors!

  There wasn’t much left of the furniture that occupied the old cabin. Most of it had succumbed to neglect and the elements that accompanied the mountains’ winter weather. After dark, they both got as comfortable as possible and dropped off to sleep.

  Uriah had found some rope and a couple of old blankets. The previous resident had left most of his belongings behind and the blankets were in an old trunk in one corner of the cabin. The old trunk had preserved them well, keeping their heavy material strong and dense.

  Uriah fashioned hammocks by suspending rope from the ceiling joists. He tugged and pulled to make sure the joists would support their weight.

  Millicent climbed into her makeshift hammock and drifted effortlessly off to sleep. She was glad to be off the hard ground.

  The fire and shaky old walls sheltered them from the cool mountain air for the evening. She was fast asleep, and for the first time since Pittsburgh, she slept comfortably.

  Uriah stoked the fire before dropping off, and for a few hours, they both rested. The old cabin seemed like a safe place to lay their heads. The cabin creaked and moaned in the cool mountain air and a quiet calm filled the ridge.

  Somewhere around 2 am, the quiet was broken by the sound of horse hoofs. They were off in the distance when he first heard them. Uriah thought he was dreaming as the sound continued to get louder and louder. When he realized it wasn’t a dream, he awoke in near panic. He knew he had only seconds to act.

  It was in those wee small hours of the morning that Millicent again felt the powerful hand of Uriah over her mouth. He’d heard the sound of horses and knew that the smoke from the cabin chimney was about to bring unwanted company.

  “Shssssssss,” he warned. “Riders coming in, we might be in danger.”

  Millicent scrambled to her feet and looked around the cabin. She wasn’t sure what to do. Uriah looked at the back of the cabin where several of the boards were rotted and pointed.

  He led her to the corner, pushed one of the boards out the wall, and motioned for her to crawl through it.

  “You go into the brush and stay there until we know it’s safe for you to come out.”

  She heard him, but she didn’t want to leave him. She had a bad feeling about this, and a knot formed in her stomach.

  He’d been right about everything they had encountered so far, so she followed his instructions and climbed through the rotted boards in the cabin wall. She scrambled into the brush on her hands and knees and hid. It was cold, but all she could do was wait and hope for the best.

  Uriah looked around quickly, and then pulled the hammocks from the ceiling. He made sure there were no other signs of Millicent anywhere in the cabin. He’d barely made his assessment and hidden all signs of her when the door came crashing in.

  Three men entered the cabin. The one in the lead had his gun drawn and pointed it at Uriah immediately.

  The men were the McGinty brothers, Virgil, Rafe and Harvey McGinty.

  As individuals, they weren’t real dangerous, but together they were three bullies looking for someone on which to wreak their havoc.

  Virgil was the oldest; his influence on the younger two was obvious. Whatever Virgil wanted, Rafe and Harvey would do without question. They each seemed to fear his booming southern voice.

  “Well, boys, look what we’ve got here,” Virgil shouted sternly.

  He laughed as he addressed the others. Neither one of the other men had drawn their weapons; they both stood watching what their older brother, who was the leader, was doing. They seemed ready to answer his call.

  “I know this ain’t your cabin, boy,” Virgil said as he approached Uriah and faced him.

  “This place has been deserted for a few years now. In my book that makes you a trespasser and a thief.”

  Uriah listened, as Virgil’s tone grew angry and mean.

  “I meant no harm,” Uriah began, “I got stuck out here and found this abandoned cabin and just needed a place for the night to rest my head away from the bears and mountain lions.”

  “I’m sure you did,” Virgil bellowed. “That don’t make you less of a thief or a trespasser in our eyes.”

  Uriah knew what was coming, but he just couldn’t keep his mouth shut and had to challenge them.

  “I haven’t stolen anything, and besides that, this cabin doesn’t belong to you either.”

  The other two watched as Virgil swung his Colt and struck Uriah in his cheekbone sending Uriah to the floor. The expressions on both of the younger McGintys quickly revealed that neither of them expected Virgil to pistol whip Uriah.

  Millicent wept in the bushes behind the cabin as she listened to Virgil as he laughed about striking Uriah. There was just enough of a gap near the floor that she saw Uriah as he fell.

  “We don’t like your kind around here.” Virgil commanded as he stood over Uriah.

  Virgil continued to shout obscenities and racial slurs as he commanded Rafe to tie Uriah up while he was unconscious.

  It was all Millicent could do to keep from calling out. For the first time in her life, she was witnessing the savagery of a racist act.

  She’d grown up in a free state, and although things were far from perfect, she’d never witnessed anyone like these men. It made her ashamed that they had any genetic bond to her at all.

  They were treating Uriah as if he was an animal and all she could do is watch through the cracks and listen.

  “Tie him up; we’ll have some fun with him later, boys.” Virgil bellowed.

  Millicent’s heart skipped a beat; she knew Uriah was in mortal danger. She had to do something, but what? What could she do by herself against these three large armed men?

  She moved closer ever so quietly, until she could see clearly through the rotted boards that she’d climbed out only moments before. She could see all three men together at the other end of the cabin. They were standing around getting some things out of their saddlebags. Although Uriah was near the opening, he was unconscious, tied up, and there was a small bloody patch on his right cheek. She grasped
her mouth and kept herself from crying out.

  This poor man had been nothing but kind to her and now these ruffians were hurting him, and she was afraid they might even kill him.

  “Rafe, you go out and tend to the horses. Make sure they’re watered and fed. Harvey and I will get some grub together,” Virgil commanded while he surveyed the cabin.

  The one they called Rafe immediately and without question went out what was left of the cabin door and did what he was told. Harvey, the other man with Virgil, began rustling up something for them to eat. He sniffed what remained of the stew Uriah and Millicent had foraged and set it aside.

  “If you don’t like what he was eating, we’ve got some jerky and some beans left. I can make short work of it with this fire that’s already burning,” Harvey replied submissively.

  “That sounds good to me. I’m tired and mean spirited. I need something in my belly and a little sport to give me some comfort.”

  As Virgil spoke, he looked over at Uriah in contempt, and then he grinned back at Harvey. Seconds passed, and then both of them erupted in a short, sadistic styled laugh.

  “We’ll have some fun with this one when he awakes,” Virgil said menacingly. Harvey grinned, and in between checking the beans he was preparing, he walked over and poked at Uriah with an old metal ladle.

  All Millicent could do is watch through the hole in the wall.

  She was trying to be quiet and resisting her urge to cry out.

  This unconscious man had already risked his life to save her, and now these men were planning to beat him for fun, or maybe worse.

  It was then that she realized that if anyone was going to save Uriah, it would have to be her. She looked around but had no idea what she should do. Three armed men with only her standing between them and Uriah’s certain injury or death.

  Her mind reeled, “I’ve got to come up with a plan,” she thought.

  She waited and watched as they settled in and got comfortable. She knew what they were doing; she’d done it herself. She’d gotten comfortable in the cabin and lulled herself into a feeling of false security. It was as though nothing could reach her. After being on the trail, the warm fire in the dwelling seemed to relax a body. It was definitely a false sense of security, as she’d discovered.

  She watched while she took her surroundings into consideration. She might be able to do the same thing they had done. She might be able to surprise them if she just waited for the right moment.

  She waited and continued to watch as they all ate and sat around laughing and talking about what they planned to do to the black man they’d found.

  Uriah didn’t regain consciousness or they probably would have beaten him right then. Finally, Virgil, the one in charge, spoke up again.

  “I’m getting tired, boys, let’s get some rest. Check him and make sure he’s tied up good and tight. We can have our fun with him after daybreak.”

  Rafe, the one who tied up the horses went over and checked Uriah’s bonds. They were tight, so they all proceeded to lie down on the cabin floor. It wasn’t long before they quickly dropped off to sleep.

  Millicent made her way around to the other side of the cabin and checked the men’s horses. If she could somehow get Uriah free, they would need at least two of the horses to get to safety.

  She untied one of the men’s horses, gave it a gentle pat on its haunches, and then she watched as it wandered off into the brush.

  “That will slow them down,” she thought.

  She was still uncertain of how she was going to free Uriah, but she knew she had to try. She hoped that having the horses saddled and ready to go would give them a chance to get away.

  She made her way back around to the other side of the cabin and back to the hole where she’d originally crawled out.

  When she looked in, she could see the men resting on the floor. About ten feet into the room, the one named Harvey was curled up with his head on his bedroll sound asleep. Resting on the floor near his head was his gun belt. Hanging out of his holster was a Colt revolver.

  She wasn’t totally unfamiliar with the operation of one, but she’d never pointed one at a man with the intention of using it and wasn’t sure she could fire a gun at another human being.

  All she knew was that she couldn’t let these animals harm Uriah while she sat back and did nothing.

  It was time to see what she was made of. She would have to risk her life for another person and take action.

  After she was sure they were sleeping, she slid through the tiny opening and made sure she didn’t touch the boards or make even the slightest sound. She paused when she got inside the cabin and crawled silently towards the sleeping Harvey McGinty.

  Her eyes were fixed on his Colt revolver. If she could just reach it and remove it from his holster before they discovered her, she might have a chance. She knew she wasn’t very threatening, but the Colt already drawn and in her hand would give her an edge.

  She inched ever closer hoping with all of her heart that the rotten old boards in the cabin wouldn’t creak and give her away until her plan was well in motion.

  The pistol was within reach now, but suddenly she heard something from across the room. It was Uriah; he was stirring and regaining consciousness. She held her position with her hand only inches from the Colt.

  He opened his eyes and looked at her. He nodded and watched as she pulled the safety strap off the hammer of the pistol and gently slid the Colt out of its holster. The man lying there groaned, but he never awoke. She was so close to him, she could smell the stench of his breath.

  Once she had the pistol, she began quietly crawling towards Uriah. Slowly, she made her way until she was right beside him.

  She remembered his knife, the one he’d used to whittle on the tree limb and to clean the rabbits. If the men hadn’t checked him too close, maybe it was still in his pocket.

  She reached in Uriah’s pocket and pulled it out slowly. It was an old pocketknife and was hard to open. She actually had to put down the Colt pistol to open it. It was stiff and the blade came out slow and labored. She nearly groaned as the blade finally made its way to full open.

  Once she got the blade extended, she began cutting at Uriah’s ropes with her left hand while she kept the Colt trained on the sleeping men with her right hand. She almost had Uriah free when Virgil, the leader of the bunch, suddenly awoke. Virgil started looking around the cabin. Although she was behind Uriah and difficult to see in the dark, he somehow knew she was there.

  Virgil suddenly jumped to his feet and began looking towards Uriah.

  “I believe we’ve got another visitor, men,” he said as he reached for the Colt at his side.

  Millicent had little choice. She knew if he pulled that pistol and pointed it at them, he would have the upper hand. She wasn’t skilled with a pistol and certainly no match for someone that carried one on a daily basis.

  Her only chance was to shoot first and consider her actions later. She squeezed the trigger of the Colt in her hand and a flash of light erupted with a loud roar as the cabin lit up from the shot.

  The last rope on Uriah’s hands came free, and he grabbed the pistol from Millicent just as Virgil went down.

  Millicent had shot him in his left shoulder. He groaned as he hit the floor. It was probably a blessing that Millicent hadn’t killed him, but Virgil didn’t seem to take it that way.

  The other two came up quickly only to find that their brother was wounded and bleeding on the cabin floor. The man they intended to have a little fun with was now holding them at gunpoint.

  “You just shot a white man, darkie,” one of them yelled. “You’ll be hanging before the week is out.”

  Millicent stepped out from behind Uriah and yelled back at them.

  “He didn’t shoot your brother, I did, and If Uriah hadn’t snatched that pistol from me, I’d shoot both of you right now!”

  This seemed to shut the bellowing gunman up somewhat. Millicent walked over to him as Uriah hollered
for him to put his hands up.

  “I mean way up, I want you to pull me down a star with them.”

  Millicent walked over, pulled the pistols from the holsters of the two men standing, and picked up Virgil’s pistol from the floor. He’d dropped it when Millicent shot him in the shoulder.

  “Let’s get out of here, Uriah, I’ve got two of their horses saddled up outside” she called out once she had their weapons.

  “If you take our horses, our brother could die!” the brother named Rafe exclaimed.

  Millicent told them that the other horse had wandered off and probably wasn’t far away.

  “You should be able to catch it and ride for help after we leave,” she added.

  Her voice was still filled with contempt for them.

  Uriah hadn’t known her very long, but the person he was watching now seemed so out of character for her.

  “It would serve you right to die, but she’s right, if you ride double you can find a doctor,” Uriah defiantly talked back to Virgil. “If you waste your time chasing us an infection might set in and then you surely will expire.”

  Uriah urged Millicent to gather up the men’s saddlebags while he held them at gunpoint. After she’d gotten their saddlebags, she moved towards what remained of the cabin door. After kicking it in, the three men had propped it back up to keep the wind out.

  They made their way thru the doorway, keeping the brothers covered. They took a pair of saddlebags and two of their rifles.

  Millicent went outside first and led the horses over towards the door while Uriah watched the men.

  Once she got the horses to the doorway Millicent handed Uriah one set of the reins. He kept the men covered while she mounted one of the horses. When she was done, he mounted the other. Before they left, Uriah took one of the pistols and dumped the shells from its cylinder on the floor. He threw the empty pistol across the room and smiled.