“Liberal arts in teaching,” Kristina replied.
“You’re the first woman I’ve ever met with a degree,” Ludlow said. “All the young ladies I know attend finishing schools to learn how to conduct themselves as society wives and mothers.”
“Becoming a teacher offered me a chance to travel. That’s why I chose to teach Indian children. I’m a long way from Minnesota now.” She smiled at Ludlow. “Shall we get on a first name basis, Ludlow? We’re going to be very close neighbors here at the agency.”
“That’s fine with me, Miss Kristina,” Ludlow replied.
Hawkins chuckled. “She means you can leave off the ‘miss’, Mr. Dooley.”
“That was silly of me, Kristina” Ludlow said. “But I fear military protocol and regulations prohibits Captain Hawkins and me from addressing each other with any degree of familiarity.”
The repast eased into a pleasant social event as conversation evolved among the three diners. The men appreciated being in a woman’s company after the training grind at the scout bivouac, and the food was extra delicious to both after so many meals of hardtack and salt pork. The dessert of wafer cones filled with chokeberry preserves added to the wonderful dining experience.
The dinner party broke up at sunset after several final cups of coffee. Hawkins stood up. “This is the hour when we must leave Kristina’s charming company, Mr. Dooley.”
“Really?” Ludlow remarked. “Why?”
“Decorum is the word,” Hawkins explained.
Kristina said, “As a single woman, I am under constant scrutiny, Ludlow.”
“Of course,” Ludlow said. “I understand.”
He and Hawkins made their goodbyes, and left for the bivouac.
~*~
The two officers’ meal the next morning was enhanced with some pieces of lefsa Kristina had given them the evening before. The breakfast was interrupted by the sudden disturbance of barking dogs from the scouts’ living area. Hawkins stood up to see what had excited the canine population. “Ah,” he said. “A rider’s coming in.”
Ludlow joined the captain. “Do you know who it might be, sir?”
Mack Hawkins watched as the man drew closer. “It’s a messenger from Fort Lone Wolf.”
The soldier rode up and dismounted. He saluted, saying, “Post commander’s compliments, sir.”
Hawkins took the message pouch and opened it. He found an official document addressed to him as the commanding officer of the Kiowa-Comanche Scout Detachment. He read it quickly, then glanced over at Ludlow. “We have our first assignment.”
“Excellent, sir!”
Hawkins looked at the messenger. “My compliments to the post commander. Tell the colonel the detachment will depart first thing tomorrow morning for Fort Lone Wolf.”
As the messenger remounted to gallop back to the garrison, Hawkins yelled over at the Indians who were breakfasting with their families. “Sergeant Eagle Heart! Tell your men to prepare to leave tomorrow at dawn. We have a mission.”
War shouts came from the teepees as the scouts greeted the news with boyish enthusiasm. They all jumped to their feet and broke out into an impromptu war dance as their fathers and older brothers had done in the past days when a battle was inevitable.
“Have a look, Mr. Dooley,” Hawkins said, handing him the document.
Ludlow, fascinated with this first study of an actual operation order, read it carefully. “We are indeed going to the field. Do you have any idea what we’ll be doing?”
“We’ll get our full instructions tomorrow, Mr. Dooley. This message was meant to alert us. Meanwhile we’d best get ready.”
Ludlow quickly finished his meal and returned to his tent to prepare his gear for the mission ahead. He was half way through the chore when Hawkins joined him
“Let’s have a look there, Mr. Dooley,” Hawkins said, inspecting the bedroll. “A bit loose. Don’t worry how it looks. You don’t want it coming unraveled during a hard ride.” The captain rerolled it. “That’s the way to do it.”
“Thank you, sir,” Ludlow said.
A look at the lieutenant’s haversack and saddlebags brought about another quick rearrangement and some more advice on packing for the field.
“I appreciate you doing this, sir,” Ludlow said. “I hope it doesn’t delay your own preparations.”
“I was finished a half hour ago,” Hawkins said. “Don’t worry, Mr. Dooley, you’ll get the knack of it bye and bye. Don’t forget to put in your field rations.”
“The same thing we’ve been eating here all along, right, sir?”
“Right. Hardtack and salt pork. Be sure you include a few cans of fruit. They’ll taste good in the field. I just hope the scouts get the opportunity to do some hunting while we’re out there.”
“I do too, sir. I am grateful for all the help you’ve given me. I’ll do my best in the field.”
“Any less could cost you your life, Mr. Dooley,” Hawkins said seriously. “I suggest we take the chance to do a bit of napping for the rest of the day. A good soldier always stores up sleep when he gets a chance.”
“I didn’t know you could store sleep, sir.”
“It’s something you’ll learn to do if you continue soldiering in the field for any length of time.”
“I’ll take your advice, sir.”
After Hawkins returned to his own tent, Ludlow Dooley made another check of his gear, laid out his field clothing, then laid down on his cot. He tried to nap, but the excitement of finally taking part in active campaigning kept him wide awake.
~*~
Kristina Halverson sat at the small desk in the corner of her parlor. The summer dusk was coming to a close and she’d lit a kerosene lantern to grade the spelling tests her students had completed that day. The teacher had just gotten into her chore when she was interrupted by a rapping on her window. She looked over to see Mack Hawkins peering through the glass.
Kristina walked over and opened the door, puzzled by his unexpected appearance. “Well, hello!”
He stepped inside. “Hello. I guess you weren’t expecting any callers this late, hey?”
“No. But that doesn’t mean you’re not welcome.”
“I came by to say goodbye,” Hawkins said. “The detachment is going on its first mission tomorrow.”
Kristina was slightly alarmed. “I hope it isn’t dangerous.”
“We don’t know exactly what we’ll be doing yet,” Hawkins said. “We have to report for orders at Fort Lone Wolf in the morning. We’re all pretty excited about it though.”
“I imagine it’s an important event for a new unit,” Kristina said.
“Sure is. Mr. Dooley is pretty excited since this will be his first trip to the field.”
“Well! It’s truly auspicious, isn’t it? Let’s go to the kitchen for coffee,” Kristina said.
“I could use some.”
The couple walked through the door and Kristina went directly to the stove and set the coffee pot on. “I baked some cookies this afternoon for my class. But with the excitement, I think I’ll give them to you and Ludlow.”
“Say! They’ll certainly be appreciated.”
“They’re just simple butter, flour and sugar,” Kristina said, “but they’ re sweet and filling. We call them spritz.” She got a sack off the counter and brought it over, setting it down in front of him. “Actually I baked quite a lot.”
“Then I’ll divide them up with the whole detachment,” Hawkins said. “The Indian scouts will appreciate them too.”
“Good,” Kristina said.
When the coffee was ready, she poured them each a cup and joined him at the table. “How long will you be gone?”
“I have no idea,” Hawkins replied. “That’s why I—” He took a slurp of coffee.
“Are you sure you don’t want some cream and sugar with that?”
Hawkins shook his head. “I’m used to the army stuff without anything extra in it.”
Kristina paused, once again sensin
g he had something to say to her. She hoped he would get it all out this time. Hawkins looked at her a couple of instances as he consumed his coffee, each time lowering his eyes. Finally she asked, “What’s on your mind, Mack?”
He hesitated, obviously searching for words. After a deep breath, he said, “I had planned on telling you something for awhile now, and I think it’s time I finally did it. I should have done it long ago. But I didn’t. I don’t know why. I should have done it after one of the balls I took you to at Fort Lone Wolf. But sometimes it’s—”
“Mack!” she interrupted. “If there is something you wish to say to me, I demand you do it this very instant.”
“I am very fond of you, Kristina. More than fond. I mean more than friendship. I would like it if we came to an understanding. That is, if you are agreeable.”
“I don’t know how a great big rough tough soldier like you can be so shy. Do you wish us to become engaged, Mack?”
“That’s what I wish.”
Kristina gave him a hard look. “Are you sure about this? You’ve always seemed a lifelong bachelor in love with the Army.”
“I’ve been thinking about it for a long time.”
“Good Lord, Mack! I had no idea. Not even a hint of how you felt.”
“I’m not real good at … I mean I don’t know any romantic protocol.”
“Don’t call it ‘protocol,’ Mack. It’s a courtship not a military drill.”
He took a loud slurp from the cup. “Well, you know what I mean.”
“I don’t know since you haven’t revealed anything until this very moment. And you did it quite unexpectedly too.”
“You’re not really surprised, are you?” he asked.
“Of course I am!”
“C’mon, Kristina! Let’s get this over with. What’s your answer?”
“My answer is yes.”
He looked at her for only a moment before taking her hand. He stood up and pulled her gently toward him. He embraced Kristina, kissing her hesitantly on the mouth. She pressed back against his lips, then nestled her head against his chest.
“Tell me, Mack.”
“Tell you what?”
“How you feel about me,” she said a bit testily.
“I love you.”
“I love you too. When you get back, we’ll have a lot to discuss, won’t we?”
Hawkins’ eyes opened wide and he gasped. “Oh, God!”
Kristina was alarmed. “What the matter, Mack?”
“I forgot all about a ring.”
She reached out and patted his hand. “We can take care of that later.”
He sat down, relieved that everything was in order between them. “Can I have another cup of coffee, please?”
Chapter Eight
By the next morning the rising sun was just above the horizon when Captain Hawkins called for the first formation. Since the detachment had no bugler, he sounded first call as he usually did; the captain used a loud, bellowing voice.
Within ten minutes the detachment was ready to go with all equipments and horses ready. The Indian women and children waited nearby to bid their husbands and fathers goodbye.
Sergeant Eagle Heart was in front of the rank of scouts while Lieutenant Dooley was situated in the rear. All stood “to horse,” i.e. they grasped the reins of their individual mounts that stood on the right side of each man. Hawkins’ horse was hobbled nearby.
Although it was quite easy to see that none of the scouts were absent, Hawkins marched to a point in front of the detachment in strict accordance with the rules of drill and ceremony. Sergeant Eagle Heart, doing as he had been taught, saluted and announced, “Detachment all present and accounted for.”
Hawkins returned the salute, then ran a quick inspection of his men, including a slightly more careful scrutiny of his rookie second-in-command. With that taken care of, he went over to his horse, removed the hobbles, and pulled himself into the saddle. He rode up to the scouts, ordering, “Prepare to mount!”
Ludlow and the scouts all turned to face their horses, grasping the reins with their left hands and the pommel with their right, slipping their left feet into the stirrups.
“Mount!” Hawkins commanded.
They pulled on the pommels, stepping down in the stirrups and swung themselves into the saddles.
“Twos right, march!”
The detachment formed into a column of twos to the right, and headed out onto the prairie as their commanding officer trotted his horse to the front of the formation. The Indian women, remembering the old days when their men were warriors, set up a shrill keening to give them courage in battle.
~*~
It took a half hour to reach post headquarters. By the time the detachment arrived it was broad daylight. Leaving his lieutenant and scouts outside, Hawkins wasted no time reporting to Colonel Bennington. He was positively grinning with excitement when he marched to the front of the commanding officer’s desk and saluted. “Cap’n Hawkins, commander of the Kiowa-Comanche Scout Detachment, reporting to the post commander as ordered, sir.”
“Right, Captain Hawkins,” Bennington said. He grinned to himself, thinking your days of having any commands in this man’s Army are coming to a close. He cleared his throat, and said aloud, “Your detachment is to accompany the department paymaster on a trip down to Texas to deliver army payrolls to Forts Richardson, Griffin and Concho. You’ll be leaving within the hour.”
“That quickly, sir?” Hawkins asked. “Has there been another uprising? Is the payroll in danger?”
“I know nothing about the mission,” Bennington said. “This is a departmental affair. But I do know there are no war parties galloping about the countryside. You’ll find the paymaster in the adjutant’s office. He can fill you in on any details.”
Hawkins saluted then made a quick departure from the office, going down the hall. He found a short, dumpy major stuffing packets of money into a strongbox. Hawkins rapped on the door to get his attention. “Sir, are you the paymaster?”
“Either that or I’m stealing this money, Captain,” the major said in a surly tone. “I’m Major Dewey. What can I do for you?”
“I’m Captain Hawkins of the Kiowa-Comanche Scout Detachment detailed to escort you, sir.”
“You mean that bunch of godamned Indians outside?”
“Yes, sir. This is the detachment’s first duty assignment.”
“Let me tell you quite candidly that I’m not real happy with this arrangement,” Dewey complained. “I would request a change but unfortunately there are no Federal law officers available for the trip. So I’m stuck being accompanied by a bunch of Stone Age savages.”
Hawkins held his temper. “We’re going quite a way if we’re gonna visit all those posts in Texas. There’ll be a lot of riding. You’ll find the scouts in excellent fettle for that kind of activity.”
“You won’t be galloping across the prairie, Captain. We’re going by train most of the way. The only riding you’ll be doing is between rail depots and the army posts. A couple of miles at the most. You and your Indians will put your mounts in the cattle car provided, and the Indians will remain there with the animals.”
“I think it’ll be better if not only me and my lieutenant, but also the scouts ride with you, sir. If we’re supposed to guard that money, we should be close to it.”
“You and the white officer are welcome,” Dewey said. “But not those damned Redskins.”
“I’d like to point out that the scouts are properly enlisted in the United States Army.”
The major glared at him. “I can see you and I won’t get along at all, Captain. Therefore, you and your lieutenant and those blasted Indians will all ride in the baggage car!”
“Sir—”
“That’s an order!” Dewey barked. He locked the strongbox. “Now get a couple of those scouts or whatever they are to lug this out to the ambulance. We’ve got to ride up to the railhead and meet the train by noon today.”
“Yes, sir
,” Hawkins said.
The captain went outside and motioned to Tall Bear and Swift Horse to dismount and come inside. It didn’t take long to have the strong box put in the ambulance where a soldier waited to drive the major to the railway line. He was the same man who had taken Ludlow Dooley out to the scouts’ bivouac.
Tall Bear and Swift Horse remounted as Hawkins went over to Ludlow to give him a quick explanation about what was going on. Ludlow was a bit puzzled. “We’re all supposed to ride in the cattle car, sir?”
“That’s what the major said, Mr. Dooley.”
“I’m no expert on this sort of duty, sir, but how are we supposed to guarantee the safety of all that money if we’re nowhere near it?”
“This is not standard army procedure,” Hawkins admitted. “I can only tell you that the major is not overly pleased with our presence. This isn’t gonna be a particularly nice experience for any of us.”
Ludlow Dooley glanced over at the Indians who sat their mounts in a dignified manner as they awaited orders. Ludlow was disgusted with the major’s attitude. “That’s no way to treat those scouts. They’re good soldiers.”
Hawkins nodded his agreement. “You damn right they are. But it’s gonna be an uphill battle for us to prove it. And this will be the first of many such incidents. So be prepared.” He glanced toward the post headquarters building and saw Major Dewey walking down to the ambulance. The major clambered aboard and the vehicle rolled out toward the gate.
Hawkins swung himself up into the saddle. He took another look at the Kiowa-Comanche Detachment, U.S. Scouts, then shouted. “Detachment! For’d, yo!”
The first mission was underway.
Chapter Nine
Major Thomas Johnston, the inspector general of the Military Department of the Indian Territory, sat on the bench of the railhead depot platform. He had just arrived from Fort Sill to begin the investigation regarding the cashiering of Captain Mack Hawkins. The train that brought him stood on the tracks, escaping steam hissing from the piston pressure ports.
The major looked out over the prairie, happy to see the approaching ambulance rolling slowly toward his location. The sight of an escort consisting of two officers and five Indians dressed in regulation army uniforms confused him. When the vehicle reached the station, a familiar figure clamored down off it.
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