Oregon Destiny

by Rachel Wesson

  “Let’s hope we don’t get to that stage,” Rick said dryly, keeping Johanna’s hand tightly in his.

  Chapter 52

  How much longer were they going to sit here? It was getting dark and cold. She shivered violently. What was he waiting for? Becky wished for the thousandth time she could speak with Scott.

  “Mitchell, I’m running out of patience and my men are getting mighty hungry. You got five minutes to come out here or we are coming in.”

  She yelled as Mitchell pulled her to her feet. The pins and needles were bad enough but he was holding onto her hair so tightly it brought a tear to her eye.

  “Mitchell. What’s it to be?”

  “You’re going to kill me but not before I get to finish her off.” Mitchell drew her own knife from his pocket. “She kindly provided the weapon too.”

  There was no response. Was he going to just let Mitchell kill her? He wouldn’t do that, would he? Mitchell pulled her closer, she felt the blade slice into her skin.

  “Any last words?” He leered into her face.

  “Yes, you can die in—” She didn’t get to finish her sentence as Mitchell tumbled toward her. Shrieking she tried to get out of his way but failed. She fell to the ground under his weight. Kicking and screaming she tried to get him off her but she couldn’t.

  “Becky, take it easy. We got you. Stop kicking. Jeez woman will you do as you are told. For once.”

  Scott. It was Scott. He was here. She opened her eyes to see him pull Mitchell from her. He took her hand, pulling her to her feet and into his arms. His hand came away covered in blood.

  “He cut you. Where?”

  “It’s a scratch. Nothing to worry about. You came. You saved me.”

  “You saved me, you mean. My life is nothing without you.”

  His mouth fixed on hers savagely.

  Someone coughed. And coughed again. They finally came up for air to see David standing there with his hands on his hips.

  “As her brother-in-law, I don’t know if I should challenge you or congratulate you.”

  “Definitely the latter. But first we best get her back to her family. They are bound to be worried sick.”

  “Sure thing, boss. What do you want us to do with him?”

  “Is he dead?”

  “Yes.” At the look Scott threw him, David exclaimed, “He is. I checked. I think you must have hit him in the heart.”

  Only then did Becky look down to see a knife in Mitchell’s back. She turned and retched into the bushes to one side.

  “Sorry, darling, I shouldn’t have let you see that.”

  Becky burst into tears. She sobbed and sobbed unable to form a sentence properly. It was over but it wasn’t. It would never be.

  “Becky, it’s okay, darling. We will take you to your ma. You are safe.”

  “Not crying for me. Paco. He’s… He was…”

  “Where?”

  “Back there. I tried to help him but he wouldn’t let me. He said they could roast.”

  “They?”

  “Yes, Beaver was with him. They were both tied up and then the fire came and…”

  “Becky, back up. Are you sure it was Beaver?”

  “Yes, Beaver was tied up beside Paco. Paco tried to help me when Mitchell hurt me. They beat him. Really bad. I think they could have killed Paco.”

  “We have to get back. That’s what Walking Tall meant. Paco was trying to warn us. There’s trouble on the way.”

  “What do you call this?”

  “Indian trouble, David. Beaver is Medicine Man’s son. Medicine Man holds me responsible for the loss of his family when the army attacked.”

  “You! But you weren’t even there.”

  “I know but you’ve seen the medicine man. He hates me and he filled his son full of hatred too.”

  Scott screamed orders at his men. He called for Walking Tall but the Indian had already left. Jessie came running just as they were making their way back.

  “Captain, we got trouble. Indians on the attack.”

  “Beaver with them?”

  “You mean the man who helped us cross the river. Yes, sir. He sent a message saying you wanted guns.”

  “Hughes didn’t give him any, did he?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Scott groaned.

  “Broken ones, sir. Miss Thompson, Johanna, suggested we sabotage them first. I got away as soon as I could. I have men waiting at the farm just up the road. The farmer wasn’t too happy, so I paid him off.”

  “Good job, Jessie. I will go to the farm. Can you please stay with Becky?”

  Becky’s head swung up.

  “I am going with you.”

  “Not now, Becky.”

  “I am going and you aren’t stopping me. That’s my family out there. I can fire a gun.”

  “She’s right, Scott. We need her. Do we know how many are attacking?” David asked.

  Jessie shook his head.

  “How is Paco?”

  “Johanna is nursing him but he isn’t too good. She’s real worried.”

  “He’s a fighter,” Becky whispered to Scott.

  “Shouldn’t someone go find reinforcements, like Paco’s men?” David asked.

  “Almanzo has already gone,” Jessie answered David.

  “Alone?” David asked.

  “Yes, sir. He headed out to find Paco’s horse a while ago. Paco gave him something to show the Chief he was loyal.”

  “Let’s hope the Chief is still alive and Medicine Man hasn’t finished him off too,” Scott said grimly.

  Chapter 53

  Becky’s heart thumped so hard she was sure it was going to burst out of her chest. She’d been scared when Mitchell had her but not as terrified as she was now. Her family was caught in an Indian attack, and because of her the men who should have been protecting them were out here in the forest.

  “I’m sorry Scott, this is all my fault. If I hadn’t taken a walk, I wouldn’t have…”

  He pulled her closer against him. “You got nothing to apologize for. What happened was Mitchell’s fault. I wish you would stay here, out of the firing line though.”

  “I can’t. I couldn’t bear to be away from you, from them. I have to help.” She knew she was begging but she didn’t care. Too much was at stake.

  “All right, but promise me you will hang back. I know you can handle a gun but there are experienced fighters in the group. Don’t get in their way.”

  She nodded, her gaze centered on the road ahead of them. They couldn’t see or hear any sign of the camp yet. But that was good, wasn’t it? If the Indians were attacking, they would hear noise.

  “I will take my men and go in on this side, you better ride in as if you were coming back from town. That may be enough to stop Beaver and his friends attacking.”

  “Good idea, Jessie. Thank you.”

  “Don’t thank me. You still owe me wages. Can’t let anything happen to you.” Jessie grinned before saluting and heading off with his men. Scott explained the plan to David who was relieved as it meant he could be near Eva.

  They rode up to the camp calling out to Rick in case he shot them by accident.

  “You’re back. All of you. Am I glad to see you,” Rick spoke so fast it was hard to keep up with him.

  “Paco?” Scott asked as he dismounted.

  “He’s still alive. Johanna’s with him. But..” Rick pulled at Scott’s sleeve. “Prepare yourself. She’s not confident he will recover.”

  Becky squeezed Scott’s hand as his face filled with pain.

  “Becky, can you check on Paco for me? I will be there in a minute.”

  When she didn’t move, he pushed her gently. “Go, you will brighten his day.”

  She went.

  “Rick, tell me what has happened. Jessie said you gave Beaver some guns.”

  “Yeah, broken ones. We had to do something to buy some time. Were we right? Is he going to attack?”

  ‘I am not sure. But yes, probably. I am g
oing to speak to him. Don’t let Becky come after me.”

  Scott mounted quickly. David, who hadn’t had a chance to dismount, turned to follow him.

  “No, my friend, your place is here. Look after your wife and family. I will be back.”

  David opened his mouth to protest but Scott stopped him. “If I do not return, please tell Becky I loved her with all of my heart.”

  And then he was gone leaving Rick and David staring after him.

  “What do we do now?” Rick asked David

  “We wait.” David dismounted. “Hopefully, Almanzo will be back with Paco’s men, and Jessie is waiting for a signal. He has ten men with guns. What is the situation here?”

  “Everyone who can shoot has a gun. The women are ready to load. Eva too.”

  “We can’t do anything yet. We don’t want to jeopardize whatever plan Scott has. Do you want to tell Becky, or shall I?”

  Tell me what?”

  Becky came forward, her eyes looking around frantically. “Where is he? He’s gone, isn’t he? Alone?”

  “Yes, Becky, he is. He had to go.”

  “He could have brought me with him.”

  “It’s too dangerous and you know it.”

  “What am I meant to do now?”

  “Wait. That’s all any of us can do.”

  Becky would have sunk to the floor if David hadn’t been holding her elbow. He gathered her to him, lifting her up like a child, and carried her to his wife. Eva came running forward.

  “Is she hurt?”

  “Not seriously. Mitchell cut her on the neck. It needs cleaning. Scott’s gone.”

  Eva paled, making David curse himself for his choice of words.

  “I mean gone to see if he can stop the attack,” he said quickly.

  “Poor Becky. She loves him so. Lay her down here, we will look after her.”

  They both jumped at a scream from behind her. Ma came running followed closely by Pa. “My baby, what happened to her.”

  “It’s all right, Ma, she’s alive. She’s collapsed is all from lack of water and rest.”

  “The blood…”

  ‘Most of it is Mitchell's. Becky has a small cut but she is fine otherwise. Scott got to her in time.”

  “Where is Captain Jones? I need to thank him.”

  “He’s gone, Mr. Thompson. He said it would be easier if he tackled the Indians on his own.” David turned to his wife. “Scott said to keep a very close eye on her. She is not to follow him. It is too dangerous.”

  Chapter 54

  Scott made his way carefully toward where he thought the Indians would be getting ready for the attack. He wasn’t sure what he was going to do when he found them. If he was still alive, of course. Beaver or his father could easily kill him with an arrow at any second.

  What could he say to convince them to go home? To leave the white people in peace. They wouldn’t care if he said any killings here would be revenged a hundredfold by soldiers. They believed they were able to fight off anyone. Typical view of young, bloodthirsty warriors of any color or race. Soon they would find real life wasn’t like that. But he didn’t want that lesson learned tonight.

  He ran a slow, calming hand down his horse’s neck, at the same time sitting deeper into the saddle. The horse was fidgety having sensed the Indian horses nearby. He pulled back on the reins whispering to the horse, reassuring him all would be well. He hoped he spoke the truth.

  “I come in peace.”

  “White man not know what peace means.”

  Scott couldn’t see who had responded. It could either be Beaver or his father, Medicine Man.

  “I do not see myself as a white man. I am your brother. I lived with our people for a long time. My wife and children…”

  “You were the cuckoo in the nest. You never belonged. Chief was wrong to let you live. He should have killed you long ago before you brought trouble to us.”

  “Mitchell brought the trouble. You know that. Your anger and grief are leading you, not your head.”

  An arrow hit the ground, just in front of his horse. The horse didn’t rear, thankfully.

  “I came in peace and you hide behind bush. Come out and fight me. Let’s end this today. Then the rest of our brothers can go home and beg forgiveness from the Chief.”

  “The Chief is no longer.”

  Scott couldn’t think about that now. He loved the old man who had been nothing but kind to him. But he had no way of knowing he was dead. For now, he had to concentrate on the task in hand.

  “Chief is wise. He not willing to fight white man as he knows it will be the end of our people. He is correct and brave enough to admit what the future holds. If he didn’t care about all of you, he would gladly send you into battle.”

  “You speak as if you truly understand, but you don’t. You never did.”

  Scott dismounted. He left his horse where it was knowing the animal would stay. He walked slowly toward the voice, he now recognized as Beaver.

  “You are wrong. I know more than you think. I know you care. You wouldn’t have saved Paco if you didn’t. You are angry. This I understand. But Mitchell is your enemy not the white people back at the camp. Not me.”

  Silence greeted his remarks.

  “Mitchell is dead. This time for real. I killed him.”

  Beaver materialized, armed with a knife and a gun. Scott recognized it as Mr. Thompson’s.

  “You lie.”

  “No, Ahmik.” Scott used the Indian’s real name. “I can show you his body. I learned from my mistake last time. Mitchell will never hurt anyone again.”

  “You killed him because he had your woman. Not for revenge for my family.”

  “Yes, I did it to save Becky. I also did it for Kateri, Crawling Bear and all our friends and family who died at the hands of the soldiers. I did it for those who died in the wagon trains Mitchell attacked. For my own white parents and brother who died at the hands of Indians.” Scott stopped. He looked directly into the other man’s eyes. “I did it to stop the killing. On all sides.”

  As they spoke, more Indians came out of the trees behind Ahmik. They were poorly armed, some carrying the guns from the camp but the majority had bows and arrows. Scott glanced around quickly. He couldn’t see the medicine man. There was still a chance to stop this.

  “Ahmik, what is it you want?” Scott asked.

  “To have our lands back. To be free to live our lives as we have always done.”

  “How will killing my friends achieve that?”

  Ahmik didn’t answer. He scowled at Scott. Scott waited a couple of seconds before asking. “Answer me!”

  “Just kill him and let’s get on with it,” an Indian Scott didn’t recognize spoke.

  “You should know that there are more men with guns waiting for you back at the camp. The rest of our brothers are also on their way back.” Scott took a deep breath hoping his next words would get through to Ahmik. “Paco sent for them.”

  “Paco, he lives?”

  Scott didn’t miss the hope in Ahmik’s eyes. “Yes, Ahmik, thanks to you. He lives. For now.” Scott took a step and then another one closing the distance between him and Ahmik. He saw the younger man’s eyes full of tears. Gently he took the gun and knife out of his hands. “Come, my brother. We will go see Paco. Together.”

  Ahmik moved forward.

  “No. It is too late. My son has made his choice.” The medicine man roared. “I am now ruler of our tribe. There is no place for you.”

  A shot rang out. Scott flinched but the bullet didn’t come near him. He opened his eyes to see the medicine man on the ground. Ahmik dropped to his side, examining him. He raised his face. “He is dead.”

  Scott moved quickly to check. He put a hand on Ahmik’s shoulder. “I am sorry.”

  Ahmik fell to his knees grieving his father. The Indians around him muttered furiously.

  “The Wise One is angry. That is why Medicine Man died. He made bullet come out wrong way. It is a sign,” the Indian
who had told Ahmik to kill Scott muttered loudly. “We must go back to our camp and beg our chief for our lives. Come. We must go. Quickly.”

  Chapter 55

  Scott didn’t correct them. Instead, he thanked God for Johanna Thompson.

  Hearing horses behind him he whirled around. Jessie and his men, closely followed by the Chief and his men.

  “Sorry, boss, but we heard a shot and assumed the worst,” Jessie shouted as he dismounted.

  Scott nodded to him before going to greet the Chief. “I am sorry. I tried to stop it.”

  “It is not your fault. It is the way it is supposed to be.”

  “Mitchell is dead. His body lies over there.” Scott pointed in the direction.

  “Scott watch out.”

  At Jessie’s shout, Scott whirled around to see Ahmik lift his father’s knife. Before he could do anything, the Indian fell on it. He ran toward Ahmik but it was too late.

  “Tell Paco. I sorry.”

  “He knows,” Scott said softly holding Ahmik as the breath left his body. He only got up as he heard her shouting his name. Becky. She shouldn’t see this. He laid son beside father before turning to the Chief. “I have…”

  “Go find your woman. We will talk later.” The Chief smiled.

  Scott didn’t need telling twice. He quickly mounted his horse and rode as fast as he could toward the camp. Becky was running towards him, screaming his name. He jumped off, taking her in his arms and crushing her against him.

  “I heard a shot, I thought… Thank God, you are alive.”

  “I have a lot to live for. Rebecca Thompson, will you marry me?”

  She pushed him slightly apart from her, looking up into his face.“For real?”

  He kissed her, pulling her against his body as their embrace deepened. When the cheering and clapping started, he reluctantly released her mouth but kept her by his side. “Forever.”

  “Oh, yes.” Becky leaned in and kissed him again despite her father watching them.

  “Doesn’t anyone court anybody anymore? I am not sure I can handle modern living, Della. I need some whiskey.”