Hawkins knew he had to remain candid, even to the point of cruelty. “We have no future now. It is hopeless. I’ve nothing worthwhile to offer you.” It took him another moment to gain control of his emotions. “I’m letting you go, Kristina, and I won’t hold you to any promises you made me. It will be best for us both.”
“I know you love me, Mack,” Kristina cried. “Even if you never told me so in so many words until I insisted that you did. And I love you too. Surely we can build on that.”
“I’m a professional soldier. It’s all I know.”
“We could go to Minnesota,” Kristina said. “We could stay with my parents on the farm for a while. They’d have work for you and we could save your pay to buy a place of our own. I can earn money too. There could be a schoolteacher position open somewhere. Or I could work as a maid in town. There are several well-to-do people living there that have household help.”
“Kristina, I couldn’t imagine anything worse than that. I’m not a farmer. And, frankly, at this time in my life the whole idea of my trying to be a farmer would be a miserable failure. I would be as bad—or worse—than the Kiowas and Comanches.”
Now anger invaded her sadness. “It’s going to be the same no matter what you do. You can’t be a soldier anymore after you’re expelled from the Army.”
“I’ll go somewhere and enlist under a false name,” Hawkins said. “The chances of meeting someone who knows me are slim. I can grow a beard to change my appearance. Men have done that before. Even deserters who want to create new identities. They’ll be in trouble at a garrison in one part of the country, so they’ll leave and go to another post to start again under an assumed name. That’s what I’ll be doing.”
“Do you love me, Mack? Answer me!”
Hawkins fell into silence and spoke no more.
“We can still get married,” she said. “Lots of soldiers have wives.”
“Oh, Kristina!” he exclaimed. “You have a college education. Do you want to live among enlisted men’s wives who are practically illiterate? Do you want to work as a post laundress to earn extra money for us?”
Kristina continued to sit beside him, weeping quietly until Ludlow showed up with the buckboard. He brought the vehicle to a stop and hopped out. After grabbing a footlocker from the back, he carried it up to the porch.
“I have all your stuff packed up for you, sir.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Captain Mack Hawkins sat in his chair at the defendant’s table with his counsel. Both he and Captain Theodore Early were dejected, not having spoken since greeting each other outside the door. The prosecutor Captain Charles Patterson sat at his own place, paying no attention to them.
The sergeant of the guard entered the room. “Tin-hut!” he snapped.
Colonel John Bennington, Major Ernest Carpenter and Lieutenant George Watson walked in, going to their places at the table. They did not sit down. Bennington cleared his throat. “Harrumph! I am calling this court-martial to order. The business we are taking care of this morning will take very little time.” He looked at Hawkins. “Are you ready to hear your sentence, Captain Hawkins?”
“Yes, sir,” Hawkins droned.
“Do you have a last statement?”
“No, sir.”
“Very well,” Bennington said. “It is the considered opinion of—”
He was interrupted when a corporal from the departmental staff entered the room. The man saluted and held out a piece of paper for Bennington. The colonel was slightly annoyed, but took the missive and read it. His eyes opened wide and he passed it to Major Carpenter. Major Carpenter’s mouth dropped open, and he passed the message to Lieutenant Watson.
The lieutenant uttered, “Good God!”
Bennington turned his attention back to the others in the room. “The court-martial of Captain Mack Hawkins has been terminated.”
Hawkins felt his knees buckle slightly.
“Captain Hawkins is directed to go immediately to report to Major Peter Heidelberg the Judge Advocate of the Military Department of the Indian Territory,” Bennington said. His shock was evident, and he had to wait a moment before he could speak again. “These proceedings are closed. Dismissed!”
Captain Early turned to Hawkins, saying, “I would get over to the judge advocate immediately if I were you. It’s obvious something extraordinary has occurred.”
Hawkins left the post hall and hurried toward departmental headquarters. He went up the steps to the porch two at a time, then hurried down the hall to Heidelberg’s office. He stepped inside and the sergeant at the desk leapt to his feet. “Sir!” he barked. “You are to go straight in and report to the major.”
Hawkins did as directed and found Heidelberg waiting for him. The major seemed to be in a good mood. “Sit down and make yourself comfortable, Captain Hawkins.”
Hawkins, trying to remain calm, sat down but his nervousness was evident by the fact he was seated on the edge of the chair.
“The charges against you have been dismissed,” Heidelberg said. “The reason is that we have received a telegram from the Federal Court in Guthrie late last evening that concerns your case. It states that the accused bandit chief Bill Stucker has identified Major Harold Dewey as the brains behind the payroll robbery. Evidently, the reason for the major’s orders for you not to pursue the bandits was because he didn’t want you to catch them or retrieve the money.”
Hawkins was now back to being his old cocky self. “What the hell is going on?”
“We don’t know at this time,” Heidelberg said. “However, I had Major Dewey report to me to investigate the accusation. When confronted he confessed it was true. He was placed under arrest, and my assistant judge advocate is now with him to get a statement.”
“So that lets me off the hook?”
“Completely, Captain. The departmental commander has issued a vocal order restoring you to duty.” He shrugged. “You accomplished your mission and got the money back. Although you are truly guilty of the charges against you, it would make the Army look bad to the public if it became common knowledge that you had been disrespectful toward a disgraced officer and were given a dishonorable release from the service.”
“Well, I’ll be damned!” Hawkins exclaimed. “Of all the—”
Heidelberg interrupted. “I strongly suggest you consider the consequences of your conduct in the future.”
“I’m pretty much who I am—”
Heidelberg interrupted again. “Captain! You are dismissed.”
~*~
The Kiowa-Comanche Detachment of the United States Scouts had its commanding officer back in their bivouac before noon that same day. The Indians, used to the white man’s lying ways, had not been surprised at the time when their captain was being punished even though he had won a war victory. Their dealings with the U.S. Government had resulted in more broken treaties than they could remember. The enraged tribes would retaliate in the only way they could; go on the warpath.
The Indian agent Elmer Jordon had been cheating them for a couple of years, and they had been aware of it, accepting it as just another of the white man’s duplicities. When Jordon was arrested and charged for the crimes, they had been astounded, not because of his misdeeds, but because it seemed he was actually going to be punished for them.
Hawkins spent a scant hour having Ludlow bring him up to date on the scouts’ activities, then he left the bivouac for the short gallop over to the agency schoolhouse.
Kristina was in the midst of having the students take turns reading aloud from their primers when she glanced up and saw Mack Hawkins standing in the doorway. She was shocked. In her heart of hearts she had no doubt that the man she loved had escaped from custody, and was now a wanted fugitive.
The young Comanche girl who had been reading her assignment, ceased and, with the rest of the children, watched their teacher go to the door and look up at Hawkins with an expression of concerned inquisitiveness.
He grinned at her. “I’m
back. They dropped all charges against me. I’ll be by to see you this afternoon after school is out.”
Kristina embraced him with emotion, then rained kisses on his face. The children all laughed, and Hawkins grinned over at them.
Then he gave Kristina a lingering kiss before making an abrupt departure.
The Indian students found the rest of the day in class a pleasant experience. Their teacher was positively giddy, and even allowed some extra time for recess. She also read aloud to them—something they especially liked—from an exciting book called Treasure Island.
~*~
When Hawkins arrived at Kristina’s house at four o’clock that afternoon, she was waiting for him on the porch. She took his arm and led him inside. They exchanged a peck of a kiss initiated by Hawkins, but Kristina threw her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately, holding on to him for long moments. The captain was not hesitant when he returned her gesture of affection with gusto.
They broke off and gazed into each other’s eyes, then Kristina said. “Let’s go into the kitchen. We still have that talk to take care of.”
A minute later Hawkins was seated at the table enjoying coffee and spritz cookies. She asked for the details of his release, and he gave her a quick rundown of what had happened. She was astounded by the pay officer’s conduct. “Why would he do such a thing?”
Hawkins shrugged. “Who knows? He’ll be court-martialed of course. I suppose he’ll reveal his reasons then.”
“But he did confess he’d made all the arrangements to have the money stolen, right?”
Hawkins nodded. “The major didn’t deny anything. One of the provost marshal officers at Fort Sill said he seemed almost relieved he’d been found out and that it was all over.”
Kristina showed a smile of satisfaction. “The Army must have been extremely embarrassed that they were prosecuting you for disobeying him. Principally since you’d captured three of the bandits and recovered every cent of the stolen money.”
“I was told my court-martial had been expunged from army records,” Hawkins said. “That means it never happened. There won’t be a scrap of paper in any headquarters referring to it.”
Kristina got up and poured them each another cup of coffee. When she sat down, she said, “Let’s turn our attention to that talk.” When she noticed some hesitancy on his part she added, “You’re the man, Mack. It’s up to you.”
“Yeah,” he said. “Sure.” He stirred us coffee for a bit, then said, “Well, I think we should get married. Yes, Kristina. I think we should get married.”
“Do you love me, Mack?”
“Yes.”
Kristina frowned. “Then tell me so!”
“I’m not used to this,” he said. He raised his cup for another sip, forgot about it and put it back in its saucer. “I love you, Kristina.”
“And I love you, Mack.”
Now his courage was surging. “I would like us to set a date for the wedding to be right after the school year.”
“That’s coming up at the end of this month,” Kristina said. “August is harvest time on the farms, and my students will be needed at home for the work. They’ll not be back until October.”
“You won’t be able to teach school anymore, Kristina,” Hawkins said. “Officers’ wives aren’t allowed to have jobs. It isn’t ladylike. You’ll be part of the regimental society even if I am in command of a scout detachment. That means parties and balls at Fort Lone Wolf and Fort Sill.”
Kristina was stunned. “I had no idea.”
Hawkins was concerned. “Does it make any difference?”
She didn’t falter. “No, Mack. It doesn’t make any difference.”
~*~
Captain Mack Hawkins, looking forward to his wedding to Kristina, happily returned to his duties. He continued the drilling since it kept up a spirit of cooperation in the Indians because of the group participation aspects of the exercise. He also conducted constant inspections to make sure they kept their weapons and equipment clean and ready for immediate use.
Lieutenant Ludlow Dooley, almost excited about Hawkins and Kristina’s engagement as they were, was a much different officer than he had been before going on the payroll escort mission.
Hawkins, who hated paperwork, tended to the administrative tasks anyway in order to give his young second-in-command more command experience with the scouts. Ludlow showed a growing self-confidence and expertise in supervision with each passing day. Also, the scout’s collective respect for him was high and sincere.
~*~
Hawkins had been back for a week when the activities in the detachment were interrupted by the arrival of dispatch rider. This caused immediate excitement among the group as they anticipated another mission. Then they found it was a message for Ludlow to report to headquarters at Fort Lone Wolf.
Ludlow was upset, and expressed his misgivings to Hawkins. “I don’t like this one bit, sir.”
“Neither do I, Mr. Dooley. It occurs to me that it might be a good idea if I went with you.”
“I would appreciate that, sir.”
Sergeant Eagle Heart was left in command of the scouts, and the two officers rode off toward the garrison area. When they arrived at headquarters, the sergeant major informed Ludlow he was to report to the regimental commander Colonel Bennington. When the lieutenant went into the colonel’s office, Hawkins went out on the building porch to wait.
A minute later, Ludlow appeared. “Sir, my father is here to see me.”
Hawkins’ eyes opened wide. “That’s quite a surprise.”
“Yes, sir,” Ludlow agreed. “Congressman Smithers back home is a good friend of the family. He used his influence to arrange the visit, and father has been billeted at the guest house next door.” He paused for a moment. “I know what my father is here for. He wishes to force my discharge from the Army. He’s probably already had the congressman begin the proceedings on that action.”
“You cannot be forced from the Army against you will, Mr. Dooley. Do you want to continue your military career?”
“Of course, sir. It means everything to me not only to remain in the Army but to serve in the U.S. Scouts for as long as I can.”
“Well, that’s exactly what I want too, Mr. Dooley.”
“Thank you, sir. I’m very proud to hear you say that.”
Hawkins stepped back and studied Ludlow’s appearance. After weeks in the field and being in battle, he did not resemble the awkward shavetail who had arrived so inauspiciously weeks before. The captain was thoughtful for a moment. “If you really don’t want to leave the Army, Mr. Dooley, I suggest we both go over to see your father.”
“Yes, sir! I think that’s a grand idea.”
The two officers walked down the street to the guest quarters, and went up on the front porch. Ludlow, without hesitating, banged loudly on the door.
Mr. Robert Dooley of New York City responded to the summons from inside with a shout of, “Who the hell is trying to kick his way in here?” He jerked the door open and stood there wearing a well-cut suit complete with a gold watch chain stretched across his ample stomach. He displayed a furious frown. “Well? What do you want?”
“Father, it’s me. Ludlow.”
Dooley looked closer into his son’s face. “Lord have mercy!”
Hawkins stepped forward. “Is this your father, Mr. Dooley?”
“Father, this is my commanding officer Captain Hawkins.”
The elder Dooley didn’t acknowledge the introduction. He just stared at his transformed son.
Ludlow had the same feeling he’d experienced when he first fired his pistol in anger. He was about to stand up to the man who had been his lord and master since birth. But when Ludlow spoke, his voice was not uncertain or squeaky. “Father, I know why you’re here and let me state right now that I am not returning to New York with you.”
Hawkins interjected, “He’s too good a soldier to ever go back to civvie street.”
Dooley continued
to stare at his son. “You have changed greatly, Ludlow. You look quite … well, quite rough and ready.”
Hawkins knew it was time to strike and strike hard. “He’s killed at least six men in the past few weeks, Dooley. You don’t expect him to look like a godamn Sunday school teacher, do you?”
Dooley was stunned. “You’ve killed someone, Ludlow? Another human being?”
Ludlow nodded self-confidently. “I have been in gunfights, Father. My baptism of fire was out there on that wide prairie. I would like to emphasize that the men I dispatched were armed and dangerous. They were, in fact, shooting at Captain Hawkins, our scouts and me in gunfights in which surrender was not an option. Consequently, I know for sure that I am a soldier. No more strutting on the parade ground or playing at war during maneuvers. It has been the real thing.”
Dooley stepped backward away from the door. “Why don’t you and Captain Hawkins come inside? For a drink perhaps?”
Ludlow grinned, then spoke in his best cowboy style. “I got a real hankering for a shot of rye whiskey, Dad.”
“I don’t have rye whiskey,” Dooley said. “Would scotch do?”
Ludlow turned to Hawkins. “What do you say, sir?”
Hawkins showed a smile. “I think that would do just fine, Mr. Dooley.”
Dooley’s mood changed to one of open friendliness. “Yes! And you two must tell me about your adventures.”
The army officers followed the New York banker into the kitchen where a bottle of scotch waited.
Epilogue
The court-martial of Major Harold Dewey of the pay department was scheduled to take place at Fort Sill on the same day that Mr. Robert Dooley left for his return trip to New York City.
On the evening prior to the first session of the military trial, Dewey wrote out a detailed account of his crime, naming names, and giving times and dates of conspiratorial meetings that led to the robbery. He revealed his reasons for betraying the Army and his country, stating that he had embezzled government funds to cover heavy gambling debts. He concluded with an apology.
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