Whippoorwill

by R. L. Bartram

  He went to the door and opened it.

  “Hecubah,” Ceci flew across the room, threw her arms around her and smothered her with kisses. Then they both started crying.

  When they’d recovered a little, Hecubah stood back and looked at Ceci. “By rights, I should be whipping your behind about now,” she chided. “But I’m too tired from the journey.”

  “Oh, Trent. How could you drag her all the way out here?” Ceci began to admonish him.

  “Hey,” Hecubah put a stop to it. “Before you go barking at him. I want you to know, he only told me where you were. When I got the telegram, it was my decision to come here, and to do that I had to leave a husband and a baby behind.”

  Ceci was staggered by the news. “A husband? Simon Robicheaux,” she guessed. “So, you finally married him.”

  “There’ll always be a place in my heart for your daddy,” Hecubah confided. “I’ll never forget that man. Ain’t a day goes by, I don’t think about him.” She paused in a moments reflection, before continuing. “When I got back from Chattanooga, Simon sat me down and gave me a real good talking to. He said I should quit hankering after ghosts and look to the future. I brought that message with me, all the way from Louisiana, to give it to you.”

  “A baby,” Ceci recalled.

  “Ah huh,” Hecubah nodded. “A little girl. “I named her Celeste, after your sister. I hope you don’t mind. I would have called her Cecile, but I already got a baby by that name.”

  Ceci slumped into a chair, fresh tears trickling down her cheeks. It seemed as if the whole world had passed her by. “What about the plantation?” she asked, recalling the scenes of devastation she’d witnessed on her travels.

  “My husband is a very clever man,” Hecubah informed her. “When he heard the Yanks was coming…” She broke off, glancing at Trent.

  He merely smiled and gestured indulgently.

  “As I was saying,” she continued. “When he found out the Union was on its way, he freed all the slaves and gave them parcels of land on the east side. When those boys turned up, I answered the door and told them it was my house. All they found was a bunch of free black folks working their own land. They had no choice but to let us be. After all, that’s why they fought the war.”

  “I can’t believe it was all for nothing,” Ceci hung her head at the mention of the war. “Surely there’s still something we can do?”

  Hecubah came over to her, put her hand under her chin and lifted her face up. “I was afraid you’d be thinking that way,” she admitted. “That’s why I come. Honey, General Lee has surrendered. The Confederate armies are defeated. You got the whole world coming down on your head, and still you won’t quit.” She spoke softly, looking deep into Ceci’s eyes. “Don’t you understand, child? It’s over. Let it go.”

  “We have to think of a way to get Ceci out of here,” Trent cut in. “I’ll resign my commission as soon as possible and then we can make a plan.”

  “I can’t allow you to give up the only life you’ve known, just to be with me,” Ceci objected.

  “The only life I want to know, is with you,” he told her vehemently. “Remember, we agreed not to let anything come between us.”

  “I swore I’d die, before I let that happen,” Ceci recalled. “But other people died instead.”

  “I know a lot has changed,” Trent agreed. “But we still have each other.” He bent forward and kissed her. “I have to report back to headquarters tomorrow,” he told them. “Some big-wig’s arriving on an inspection. After that, we can start making our preparations.”

  ***

  What Trent thought would be a routine military briefing, turned out to be a personal interview with none other than General Ulysses S. Grant himself. It didn’t bode well for his future plans.

  Grant appeared casual in his manner, almost genial, as he lounged at his desk, lighting a cigar. Trent sat opposite him, stiff with apprehension.

  “We have won the war against the Confederacy,” Grant began. “And now we are faced with the unenviable task of reconciliation. To create a whole nation under God. A task made more difficult to achieve by the resentment born by our people, towards the South, over the assassination of President Lincoln by the traitor Booth.” He paused, drawing on his cigar. “This man’s name has been linked with the Confederate spy master, Henry Doucet,” he continued with slow deliberation. “And the Bird spies, including the only one of those still unaccounted for, Whippoorwill. Can you shed any light on that, Captain?”

  “I’m afraid not, sir,” Trent lied without compunction. “All I’ve heard is rumours.”

  “I see,” Grant didn’t seem particularly surprised by his answer. “The people are calling for the execution of Jefferson Davis, but there’s no need for that. So much blood has been shed already,” he went on. “I, personally, have no stomach to spill anymore. No matter how great the crime.” He studied Trent for a moment. “I am reliably informed that your family owns property in Canada,” he seemed to digress from the main topic.

  “That is correct, sir,” Trent replied, wondering where this conversation was going.

  “You have served your country, with a full measure of devotion,” Grant came to the point. “And distinguished yourself in battle. For that reason, and those previously stated, I shall be happy to grant you a full and honourable discharge, in the morning. This will leave you free to take your wife to Canada and live there with her, in peace and safety,” he emphasised. “Do I make myself clear?”

  There was no mistaking his meaning. “You are clear, sir,” Trent assured him.

  ***

  “Canada?” Ceci glowered. “I hear the winters are cold there.”

  “Very cold,” Trent confirmed. “Also, very safe. Be reasonable, Ceci. Your life could depend on this.”

  “I don’t see why,” she objected. “They don’t have any proof and virtually no evidence. It’s all rumours and speculation. Only four people know who I am and two of them are in this room. Booth is dead and they’ll never find Doucet. So, why do I have to go into exile?”

  His recent conversation with General Grant had left Trent with a different point of view. He could see the danger of remaining in America, even if Ceci couldn’t. “I’m not going to argue with you, Ceci,” he told her assertively. “You’re going to Canada with me, even if I have to tie you in a sack and carry you there.”

  Ceci could see that there was no point in trying to change his mind. “Very well, Trent,” she lowered her eyes submissively. “I’ll do anything you say.”

  “I’ll arrange passage in the morning,” he told Hecubah, as she prepared to leave the room. “You see,” he confided, in a low voice. “All you have to do is be firm and she falls right in line.”

  Returning to her own room, Hecubah rolled her eyes and sighed. “Sweet Jesus. That boy’s got a lot to learn.”

  She wasn’t in the least surprised when Trent returned to the hotel room the next morning, alone. “You couldn’t find her then?”

  “No,” Trent shook his head wearily. “No sign of her. Washington’s a big place. She could be anywhere. Under the circumstances, I couldn’t ask too many questions.”

  “All you have to do, is be firm and she’ll fall right in line,” Hecubah recalled what he’d said the night before. “Oh, yeah, that was a real good idea.”

  Trent was in no mood to listen to criticism. He marched up to her, gripped her by the shoulders and thrust her against the wall.

  “Oh, my,” she murmured appreciatively. “Ain’t you a big strong boy.”

  “Enough,” he snapped, “I’m tired of your nonsense. No more games. No more riddles. I think you know where she’s gone.”

  “And so do you,” she put her hand against his chest and eased him away. “Just stop. Get your head outa your behind and think for a moment.”


  Reluctantly, he did as she suggested. Then it came to him. “Oh, no,” He clapped his hands over his face. “No, no, no. She hasn’t. Not after all that’s happened. She hasn’t gone back. Not back to Louisiana and the plantation?”

  “It’s her home,” Hecubah pointed out. “That’s where she was born. That’s where she wants her baby to be born.”

  Trent dragged his hands from his face and stared at her. Hecubah was just full of insight today. “Are you saying she’s pregnant?”

  Hecubah rolled her eyes at him. “Well, unless you two spent the last month holding hands and discussing the weather,” she stated the obvious. “I guess something’s gonna happen. I weren’t here with my potion. Too late now anyway.”

  “I’m going to the railroad depot, right now.” Trent made for the door.

  “Hold on.” Hecubah caught him by the arm. “If they ever takes the trouble to find out who she is, they’s liable to execute her,” she warned him. “They’s liable to execute anyone they find with her. If that happens to be an ex Union cavalry captain, they’s liable to execute him twice.”

  Trent pulled his arm free. “Do I buy one ticket or two?”

  “That ain’t even a question,” Hecubah snorted.

  ***

  The journey from Washington to Richmond was relatively easy. However, the southern railroad system had never been equal to that of the north. What hadn’t been destroyed during the war was now virtually derelict. Gangs worked around the clock just to keep it patched up. The shortage of locomotives and railroad cars only served to exacerbate the situation.

  Eventually Trent abandoned the idea of continuing by train. Accepting Hecubah’s advice to return the way she’d come, he purchased them passage on a riverboat. It would take them down the Mississippi all the way back to Louisiana. It was a comfortable way to travel, although extremely slow, but as Hecubah had rightly pointed out, there would be no unforeseen delays.

  The further south they travelled, the warmer the climate became. Hecubah was used to it, but Trent wasn’t. He spent much of his time on deck, where it was cooler. Often Hecubah would join him there.

  “I blame myself for Ceci leaving,” he confided one night, as they leaned on the rail watching the river flow past. “I pressed her too hard.”

  “I doubt it made much of a difference,” Hecubah told him. “She’d have gone anyway, no matter what anyone said.”

  “When I think of her out there, on her own,” he sighed. “My blood runs cold. Anything could happen and I’m stuck on this damn boat. I could move faster if I swam.”

  “Calm down,” she advised him. “Unless I’m mistaken, she’s survived worse journeys than the one she’s on now.”

  “Nevertheless, when I find her, I’m never letting her out of my sight again,” Trent remarked.

  “I reckon that’s what she had in mind, when she left.” Hecubah was sure of it.

  They lapsed into silence for a moment, listening to the sound of the paddlewheel as it churned the water.

  “Do you ever find yourself getting the urge to beat her with a stick?” Hecubah asked casually.

  “I’m warming to the idea,” Trent admitted.

  “That’s what we’ll do then,” Hecubah decided. “When we get home, we’ll chain her in the cellar and beat her every day.”

  Trent just looked at her, without saying anything.

  “All right,” Hecubah conceded, “every other day. I ain’t cruel.”

  They left the riverboat well before Baton Rouge, where the Mississippi joined the Atchafalaya, and continued in a smaller craft until they were only a few miles from the plantation. Trent bought a horse and buggy and drove the rest of the way. At the gates of the mansion, he pulled the horse up, hesitating to go further.

  “What if she’s not here?” he fretted. “What if she didn’t make it?”

  “Oh, she’s here all right,” Hecubah remarked confidently, pointing up at the overhanging branch of a tree, to where a small mottled, brown bird hugged the bark.

  “What is that?” Trent squinted, shielding his eyes from the sun with his hand.

  “It’s a whippoorwill,” she identified it for him. “Ceci’s bin calling them in. I’m gonna put a stop to that. Noisy little devils keep you up till all hours.”

  They left the horse and buggy at the steps of the mansion and let themselves in. Alerted by the sound of the door opening, Simon Robicheaux came out to see who it was. Instantly he caught Hecubah in his arms, kissing her passionately. “I’ve been out of my mind with worry,” he confided. “I haven’t had a good night’s sleep since you left.” He wasn’t referring to whippoorwills.

  “And you won’t be getting any tonight,” she promised him. “How’s little Celeste?”

  “She’s fine,” he put her mind at rest. “Misses her mama though. She’s back at our house, with Tilly.”

  “When did she get back?” Hecubah asked.

  “Miss Cecile.” He knew exactly who she was talking about. “She turned up almost a week ago. We couldn’t believe our eyes when we saw her walking up the drive. She was acting mighty curious,” he began to frown. “She went and lay, face down, on the front lawn, just like she was kissing the ground. We thought she was ailing, so we went out and she told us to go away.” He scratched his head at the recollection. “She stayed there for an hour. Then she came inside and sat in the tub until nightfall. She came down, ate enough for two men, then went to bed.” He paused, smiling broadly. “The place seems just like its old self, now she’s back. Every day, since then, she’s been dressing in all her finery and going out into the garden. It’s as if she’s waiting for someone to arrive. I guess he’s here now. Welcome back Captain Sinclaire.”

  Leaving Simon, they went through the house and out onto the veranda. As they looked across the lawn, they saw, in the distance, the figure of a young woman in a white dress with a silk fan and a lace parasol, strolling serenely along the banks of the bayou.

  “To look at her, you’d think nothing had ever happened,” Hecubah stared in amazement. “You want me to cut that switch now?”

  Trent wasn’t listening. He gazed, entranced, at the vision before him. By now, the figure had stopped walking, folded the parasol and stood watching them.

  Hecubah put her hand on his arm. “What you thinking?” she asked.

  He flinched at her touch, as if waking from a dream. “Oh,” he sighed, eyes still fixed on the distant figure. “My mind goes back, to where it all began. That hot Louisiana summer when I was a boy. I saw this wild girl. I sneaked up on her, pinned her to a tree and kissed her.”

  “Ah huh. Got your nose broke that time,” she reminded him.

  Trent took off his jacket and cast it aside as he prepared to cross the lawn. Then he glanced at Hecubah and winked. “Let’s see what happens this time.”