Gage shrugged his shoulders, “We asked. Time for you to go Jenny. I’ve got to finish up a couple of things here before I can leave. Need to get married, make sure Dad’s taken care of, repair some of the out lying buildings, and build a new barn. You know tie up the loose ends.”
Bo asked, “So what about the mule?”
Dallas replied, “Jenny hasn’t been wrong yet. That house will collapse Bo. Better you knock it down now and go fish with harpoons like they use for whales.”
Jenny said, “Priest have good idea in creek. No snakes in mule. Weight tarps and pull it over on them then lift it up.”
Bo asked Gage, “So why didn’t you try that?”
Gage pointed to MacLeod, “We were a little busy today Bo. Plus, you can’t see it yet. Dad might still have those Dallas. Just remember to stay back when he let’s that fly. Get a foot caught in that rope and you could end up down there upside down hanging by your ankle.”
Dallas asked, “Is that how you ended up down in that well?”
Gage replied, “Not everything I tell you is something I actually did, you know.”
Bo asked, “Like what Gage?” Bo wasn’t saying that it was him that ended up hanging in the hold of the desert schooner by his foot when Gage used the harpoon to try to secure the ship.
Gage looked at Bo, “Like being Cole’s father. Cole is yours isn’t he. I can see it now. Same hair color, same way his hair grows at the back of your neck. Your cow lick, and your son! You had relations with Jade Shanahan!”
Bryan covered Jenny’s mouth, “Time to go Jenny. Dallas are you packed?”
Dallas looked, “Yep. Good luck Bo. We’re good on JC going right?”
Bo blushed, “Gage I swear, I didn’t know. I went in there looking for you and well, next thing I remember was her.”
Jenny uncovered her mouth and said her peace, “Cole is Bryan’s. His hair like raven. He live in Arkansas so his. I see this clearly now.”
Bryan raised his hands in defense, “Oh no. Never went that far with another woman Jenny. You’re my first and last.”
Jenny looked in his eyes, “Can not be, you too handsome and too good a lover for me to be first. No man that good without years of practice. You better than Bo and better than Gage, and even better than Sparrow Hawk.” Bryan grinned pleased with her assessment of his skills until she added, “You are sly fox in hen house Bryan. You not want child because you are ready to move on to next thing on list. Do you plan to give me back like Gage did? Or maybe you lose me in game where outcome is rigged like when you turned coin in your hand today? All you think I born yesterday!”
Gage looked a little closer at his sister. Jenny was on the warpath and any minute there was going to be an explosion of pent up emotions, “Shit, you let her get into the wokwave? How much did she have?”
Jenny looked at Gage, “What you care now you big chief. You tell Major to send me to desert. You want Mojave to get me or ship to sink with me again because you think there are more pearls and you leave me like last time?”
The end of Gage’s mouth turned up in a wry smile as he tried to change the subject. So she remembered the ship. Gage looked sympathetically at Bryan, “Sorry. I never meant for her to get into it. I think it’s safe to say the wokwave is talking.” Gage tried to reassure Jenny, “Now Jenny, I’m sorry, but Bryan’s right, that’s not his son or mine. His Daddy’s standing right there. Just look at his face. He knows it’s true.”
Bo cleared his throat, “Jenny, are you sure? She wrote and said she had my child. You think he looks like Bryan?”
Bryan looked at Jenny, “He’s not mine and he’s not Chibitty. I know that’s what you thinking, but he’s not. He was born at least three months earlier than your son. Gage is just being Gage. Now that he knows what colic is like, he doesn’t want the boy.” Bryan had no intention of taking the child when he had his hands full just with Jenny. Maybe if things had worked out different, but not now.
Gage said, “I resent that. She can tell he’s not mine. But Bo had access and the timing was right.”
Dallas asked, “And Hope? You’re saying Bo is her father? She looks like you Gage. Honey brown hair and looks like a Travis to me.”
Bryan looked at them both, “Twins, but not identical. Surely you’re not splitting them up? What about Mary Jane. Doesn’t she want them?”
Gage said, “Not so much Cole. Can’t get any sleep with him.”
Dallas looked at Bo, “Vic’s not going to like that. Don’t do it Bo. You want her to look at that boy all his life and see her green eyes?”
Bo looked at Dallas, “Maybe. She might think twice before she asked me to raise JC again if I did. I could get Anna Maria to help.”
Gage said, “So we’re agreed. You’re taking Cole to Anna Maria’s where she can help and I’m keeping Hope here with Mary Jane. I guess I could wear a uniform another month or so and cover for you here, or Dallas could stay at Camp Verde and bring Lacy back.”
Bo turned to Dallas, “You’re coming back. We’re not getting Gage hung Dallas. You owe him that much. He’s not right in the head. I saw his discharge papers.”
Bryan told Dallas, “You owe me this trip. You’re not getting out of this now or I’m telling Lacy about Anna Maria.” He placed an open medical bag in Dallas’ hands and packed up more of the knives, bone saws, cat gut thread, needles, forceps, tweezers, pliers for pulling teeth, belladonna, smelling salts, caster oil, and a bottle of chloroform.
Dallas looked at Bryan, “That’s blackmail.”
Bryan said, “So? Don’t test me Dallas or you’re going to be sorry. She gets what she wants or Mr. Richardson hears a lot more about Crockett’s Bluff.” Bryan pushed Jenny out the door and up into the wagon, “Stay, please don’t leave me. You’ll have your own, I promise Jenny.” Bryan ran back into his office.
Dallas said, “You never mention it again no matter what.”
Bryan replied, “As long as I never hear anyone say Cole is Chibitty or that Chibitty is still alive again in front of her.”
Gage turned, “I’ve got no problem with that. She didn’t say that either Travers. She said you fool around and he’s yours. She remembers the trip. She could show us, I know it.”
Dallas hurried out with Bryan’s medical bag and came back for a bottle of 18 year old scotch, and what looked like apple cider, “She can’t be blabbing all over Delight about what she knows or who she is. You know that don’t you? You got anything to make her forget?”
Bryan quickly took his pillow, coffee pot, and grabbed the straight jacket and leather binding straps from the table, “Permanently? No, not killing off any more brain cells than the peyote has already.”
Gage said, “Chloroform, use lots of chloroform. Took me a while before I even remembered my name or where Texas was after they doped me up good when they moved us Bryan. Still don’t remember everything that happened. But get her to draw out a good map first, alright?”
Bryan ran for the wagon threw everything in his arms in the back of the wagon and made sure Jenny was still sitting where he left her, “You’re doing good sweetie, just a few minutes more and we’re on our way.”
Dallas was breathing hard with his hands on his knees, “You sure you have everything. Should I rip out that sink?”
Bryan looked at Dallas, “My shaving bowl and pitcher and chamber pot.” After one more trip the two looked around and declared it good enough.
Dallas grabbed his bag and JC’s and hauled it into the wagon and mounted his horse and rode up to Victoria and held out his arms for JC. Victoria handed him to Dallas, “Until next time Dallas.”
Dallas smiled, “Sorry Vic, but he’s my son.”
Victoria said, “Never said he wasn’t.”
Dallas rode up even with the wagon and took a good look at Jenny as they approached a bend in the road, “You think maybe she should ride inside or may put that jacket on to keep her warm?”
Bryan reached over and put his hand on hers, “Are you cold? M
aybe you want your shawl?” Jenny’s hand was trembling.
Jenny looked over at Dallas, “Is Priest dead? Or just another trick so you hang me too?”
Bryan pulled the team to a stop. He looked over to Dallas, “Get over here quick. Bryan pulled the straight jacket out from behind his seat, then quickly put it back as he spotted the hanging trees and the arrows still stuck through the skeletons of what looked like might have been two Indian boys and a marker showing the names of men who died there the year before.
Jenny blinked as she focused on Bryan and the jacket he stuff below the seat behind him, “This is warming jacket?”
Bryan could feel his Adam’s apple go up and down in this throat as he swallowed down the lie her told her, “Yes, that right. It will keep you warm and safe. No one is hanging you Jenny. It makes you feel like arms are holding you.”
Jenny looked back to the trees as she swallowed her tears, “You bury them. I try to wear that but looks like they made it backwards to me Bryan.”
Dallas dismounted and handed JC to Jenny, “Jenny go with him inside the wagon. JC doesn’t need to see what’s up there and neither do you. We’ll take care of it.”
Jenny looked at JC, “You sleepy, I am. We take little nap now.” Jenny helped JC into the back of the wagon and found Bryan’s pillow and put it over her lap and patted for JC to come lay down. She took her shawl and covered up JC then took the straight jacket and tried to slip her arms into the sleeves but it felt all wrong. She took them back out and pulled it around her shoulders, “Not fit me right, but will due until you come hold us.”
Dallas pulled a shovel out of the back of the wagon, “Stay here with them Bryan. I’ve got this.”
Bryan looked at the scene in front of him as Dallas cut down the skeletons and dug graves in the sandy soil.
JC squirmed and asked, “Nap over yet?”
Jenny said, “No, I am very tired. You help keep me warm?”
JC looked up and wrapped his hands around her waist, “Dat better?”
Jenny nodded, “Better.” Jenny took her hand and gently ran it up and down his back and through his hair, “You remind me of my son Wasapi. You would have been great friends. One you call Jake knew him.” JC asked, “Jake? I know Jake.” Jenny could hear the sound of the shovel scooping up earth and then there was a pause. Jenny said, “It is hard to leave friends behind.” Then a quicker sound as the dirt filled in the graves.
Jenny smiled, “Maybe you will see him again one day, but today we go to hunt special rocks. You like throwing rocks?”
JC nodded, “Rocks.” He closed his eyes. After another few minutes he was asleep.
Bryan sighed, “What was he thinking?”
Jenny said, “Two less Indian boys to fight and stop talk about how this happen. Maybe men who did this never meant it more than to scare or bad joke, but they go too far. Who uses a horses’ tail for noose? They die very slowly and cruel death.”
Dallas put the shovel back in the wagon quietly noticing JC was asleep. He tied off his horse and climbed up into the wagon seat and offered to take the reigns. Bryan turned the reigns over, “You think MacLeod helped kill those men?”
Dallas looked at the grave marker listing the names of the men who died, “Yes, but we don’t have proof. Jenny did you see men hang or anyone in the village say they did?”
Jenny answered, “Maybe, maybe not. Men brag about how men left to rot here. Boys too curious. They came to see this place and others blame them because riffle rod in man look like arrow shaft. No one try to find out different.” Jenny looked up at Bryan, “You fix this jacket? I am cold.”
Bryan crawled into the back and helped take it off her shoulders, “You sure? I could get a blanket?”
Jenny smiled shyly, “Yes, I do not want to take boy back in that dark hole if my dreams have colors. You hold me while we sleep?”
Bryan helped her put her arms in the right holes and wrapped it loosely around her, then scooted over next to her and wrapped her in his arms.
Jenny said, “Better, you keep arms there. That feels best.”
Dallas asked, “Everyone settled?”
Jenny lay her head against Bryan’s chest and closed her eyes. Bryan replied softly, “Yes, I think I’ll join them in a nap. Wake me when you want me to spell you.”
Back at Camp Verde Gage addressed Victoria, “So you want to meet Mary Jane? Come on out and take a look Vic. You might have some good ideas of how to get that mule out.”
Victoria asked Gage, “So how much gold do you think is down there?”
Bo smiled, “How about we go see what we need to get this done.”
Mr. Travis looked on approving, “Now that’s what I mean. Take charge Gage. Just because of a little set back, no need to abandon the mule.”
Gage smiled, “That’s right Dad. You know Dallas thought harpoons might help. Spear the sucker and pull it over on a tarp. What do you think?” Gage looked back at the office and mouthed the words to Bo, “What about the body?”
Bo quickly circled back and whispered to Captain Tyler, “Bury him deep and don’t spare the number of rocks you pile on top of his grave. I never want to see his face pop up again Captain.”
Captain Tyler asked, “Name?”
Bo said, “Doubting Thomas MacLeod, Inquisitor CSA.”
Captain Tyler said, “Yes, Sir. It will be a pleasure. I’m sure there are a few men here that wouldn’t mind saying words over him Sir.”
Bo had a wry grin on his face, “I’m sure there are Captain. I’ll leave it to you. I’ll be out at Mr. Travis’ ranch getting an update from Captain Travis. Tell me what do you know about this boy named Cole?”
Captain Tyler was trying to be polite, “Dark haired, Green eyes like they say his mother had. Sparrow Hawk killed her and her husband for plotting with his first wife Sir. They found the girl in Red Eagle’s camp abandoned and left to die. Sparrow Hawk he pawned that boy on Captain Travers and Captain Travis with stories that it was Captain Travis’ spawn, but I just don’t see it. I really think it’s his own but he didn’t want a boy with colic and gave him away.”
Bo asked, “So why did Captain Travis take him?”
Captain Tyler looked at his new Major, “That wouldn’t be for me to say Sir. Perhaps Captain Travis could answer that better or Major Sanders.”
Bo asked, “No theories? I’m not going to say anything Captain.”
Captain Tyler looked at Bo. He was young and rich. Those Major stripes didn’t come with the same years as his had cost him. He knew Major Sanders was P I U and most like Captain Travis was too. This young gun might be as well. Captain Tyler said, “Respectfully Sir. It would be nothing but a wild ass guess and I don’t like to speculate about things I don’t have any first hand knowledge.”
Bo smiled, “I see.” Bo asked one more question, “What do you think people would say if I adopted the boy. Do you think there is enough of a likeness that they would think he’s mine?”
Captain Tyler looked at the Major, “Well you have the same hair color so I guess it’s possible, but really Sir, what is it about you young officers that makes you want to do that? You think you’re going to die before you have your own or what? Captain Travis has children before he settles on a wife and here you have a beautiful wife and you want to put a baby in your bed? Didn’t no one teach you boys you court, get married, then wait as long as possible before you have children? You got your priorities all backward. Same with all these promotions. Half the fun is being young and carefree. Just ask your friend Major Sanders how carefree he is now. That office stacked with papers and the doctor with twice as much time with his wife as him.”
Bo looked around at the camp, “All good points Captain, but that is the advantage of the P I U. One day you’re a buck Private and the next your a Captain, then back to Sergeant. Personally, the rank of Major isn’t so bad. Better food, better housing, and good men like you to give me the benefit of your experience. Better than climbing trees as a Sergeant looking f
or diamonds stuck in some tree or being treated like scum by people like MacLeod. Rank has it advantages and evens the field. But an heir helps secure the secession of land.”
Captain Tyler tipped his hat to the Major, “P I U. Of course Sir. What’s this man’s army coming to when you can just pick your rank and your family like shopping at the General Store. No disrespect Sir, but when this war gets over, and I’m going to find some sane post where rank is earned. All these new notions about how best to win a war or father a child are going right over my head.”
Bo chuckled, “The truth is I think he’s mine. It’s possible.”
Captain Tyler looked over to his home, “Well, Sir, every babe raised under my roof, I know who fathered it. My wife’s stuck by me through thick and thin and comes well respected in this camp. Major Sanders trusted her with his children you know. I’ve seen that boy you’re considering keep her up half the night when he first got here along with the Major’s wife and Mary Jane Vincent not to mention Sergeant Major Vincent himself. She’s not keeping him.”
Bo said, “Even if it wasn’t permanent? You know Major Sanders is coming back. It’s just a temporary assignment in Delight before the men there move on to Vicksburg. I can pay you well for her time.”
Captain Tyler eyed the young Major, “And maybe I don’t want to stay here. Maybe I’d rather not sit on a camel’s back the rest of the war.”
Bo nodded, “I see, you like the filthy beasts about as well as me. So, how would you feel about heading west to Santa Fe with us.”
Captain Tyler repeated, “No camels.”
Bo replied, “Horses. No camels in the Dragoons there and I’m pretty sure if I have anything to say about it there won’t be. Just mules trains and horses. I need a good man who knows how to run an old fashioned fort. You want to be my second in charge? Next in line for a promotion to Major?”
Captain Tyler grinned, “Why Sir, I’d be more than pleased.”
The Price of Bate
Two days later Lacy and Brianna got off the stage and looked around. They were back in Arkansas. There waiting for her was her father, Captain Richardson, and brother Tommy Richardson. It had only been about half a year, but Lacy swore Tommy had grown at least three inches and filled out. Her little brother wasn’t so little anymore. He wasn’t as innocent either. War had hardened him to the realities of kill or be killed. He had killed men and boys and seen his own friends die.
Camp Camel: The Heart of Texas Page 55