by Cherie Shaw
Then turning to Ricardo, he said, “Do you think you could get down to the rail station again and see to having our leased coach readied for departure? Tell them we’ve had another change in plans, and to make sure the car is attached to the rear of the midnight train. The one that will be heading southwest, away from the coastline.”
“Certainly, Señor Claude. I will leave now.” But Garth, walking into the room offered, “No, Uncle. I’ll drive Ricardo to the station in the carriage that I have leased. He needn’t walk, as that would take too long anyway. I heard it all and I well know this Captain Devlin as I’ve had a couple of run-ins with the chap myself.
“In time that rotten sea-captain will get his rear-end kicked all the way to Timbuktu, by the British government. As we speak, he is under investigation, and some of the government men are working under cover. This information, however, is classified and is to go no further than this room, as any leakage could put the total investigation at jeopardy as well as men’s lives.”
Garth spoke directly to his uncle then, “You see, Uncle, I haven’t been completely idle and carefree all these years.”
“I’ve known that, lad.” Claude returned seriously.
Garth looked thoughtfully at his uncle. He wished fervently that he could confide in him. It was true that he had given up his shipping business. But the reason was not just to assist his uncle. For the past three years he had been under the employ of the British government. His expertise in self-defense and marksmanship as well as his place in society made him the perfect choice for undercover work. What had begun as a part-time distraction had turned into a full time career that gave him the sense of fulfillment that the shipping business could not do. Garth worked closely with the Metropolitan Police Service in London and had played a key part in bringing many unsavory characters to justice. It was important to keep up the appearance, however, of a successful businessman. He would, therefore, be handling his uncle’s many business affairs, and of course still would be the ‘devilish rogue’ of his reputation, among society, as much as his current marital status would allow him, that is.
Garth was sorry that his sister and uncle would never learn of his position with the British government, nor that Garth’s wife, Bridgett, contrary to her vivacious, carefree appearance, was also on the government intelligence payroll. No, they never would, nor could learn the truth.
Garth and Bridgett, apparently on a long honeymoon, were actually on a dangerous assignment, along the U.S. coast, in cooperation with the U.S. Secret Service, and as the assignment was moving along fast, it should be wrapped up soon. Later, for appearances and necessity, the honeymooning couple would return back home to London.
Olivia readily agreed with her uncle’s decision to leave on their journey later that night. Though she actually was looking forward to traveling by rail for the first time, tearful goodbyes were made, and Olivia promised Garth and Bridget that they would visit longer when they returned. She still had yet to hear the story of how they had met, and how Bridgett had ‘tamed’ that ‘adventurous’ rogue brother of hers, long enough to get him to the altar. That should be a tale of adventure all in itself.
<><><>
As the iron steam locomotive sent a blast of heavy black smoke billowing from the stack to spiral upward towards the dark cloudy sky, the engineer pulled on the loud whistle. Then the heavy train, wheels grinding and screeching along the tracks, pulled out of the New York train station, picked up speed, then, headed steadily towards the southwest.
Olivia and her uncle had each settled in their own compartments for the night, in the luxurious suite of rooms in the private leased coach that had been attached to the rear of the long train.
Ricardo and Maria had already taken their compartment in the pullman car just ahead of the elegant coach, and Logan had his own compartment also in the same pullman. It had been a very long day, and each and every traveler was tired, and resting peacefully in their own little worlds, looking forward to the coming day, when they would be able to watch the scenery go by from the train windows.
As Olivia snuggled down inside the soft covers, she thought of how nice it would be to invite Logan to their coach, to listen to some poetry reading, maybe the next day. Of course she would read to him and her uncle. Claude always enjoyed her reading. It would certainly pass some time. She smiled to herself at the idea, as she drifted off to sleep.
As the weary travelers rested peacefully in their beds, no one would have had an inkling of the scene that had been unfolding along the docks of the waterfront.
It all had begun earlier in the afternoon, as Henry Adams, alias Henry Birch, had been hanging around the taverns along the docks. He hadn’t found any serious card games early in the day so he’d had a few drinks. One mug of rum led to another, and before long he was literally staggering. That would never do, he told himself, so he had a sandwich at one of the pubs and then headed back to the nearest tavern, ordering another drink.
A kindly voice at his elbow said, “Let me pay for that drink, lad.” Henry looked up into a kindly face, though weather-worn, and said, “And I thank you kindly, matey.”
Henry noticed that his new friend hadn’t touched his mug of rum that much, but then they’d been busy talking and getting acquainted, and Henry wondered if this man could be of some ‘use’ to him. The longer they talked, the more sure he became. The new friend was a rough appearing mate, Jeremy Jones, he’d said his name was, and would do just about anything for a few American coins. He had another friend down the bar a ways, whom he waved at. The bloke waved back, and soon had joined the pair, then, after moving to a table, they continued to visit and drink, telling stories of the sea, singing loud bawdy songs, and laughing loudly.
The other man was named Charlie Smith, and Henry immediately took to them. These were men after his own heart, scum bags, and dishonest to the end. He couldn’t believe his good fortune in having met up with them. So he told them a little of his life, making up the fact that Olivia had certainly wanted him, but that her brother and uncle had stood in the way of their romance.
The two new friends definitely needed a few coins, and would assist Henry in getting Olivia out from under her uncle’s ‘clutches’, or see to it that her uncle was ‘out of the way’. Henry was happy, and drank mug after mug of the strong and hearty ale. Though when he felt he’d drunk enough, he decided he’d had enough, and then, his speech slurred, he made plans to meet with his friends the next morning along the dock. He’d probably better return to his hotel, after all it was two-o’clock in the morning, and he had more spying to do when the sun came up again, before meeting with Jeremy and Charlie.
They all left the tavern together, and Henry drunkenly staggering, wondered absentmindedly why his two friends were following him. Henry Adams, alias Henry Birch, woke up twenty-four hours later, in the belly of a moving cargo ship, sporting a ‘bad headache’. Jeremy and Charlie made much more money this way, than the measly coins that Henry had offered them.
<><><>
In the small community of Freeman, tucked somewhere among the hills of Wyoming, around twenty miles north and west of Buffalo, the aging, though agile, Seth Wakefield walked out of the telegraph office, then, pausing outside the doorway, leaned against the rough-hewn logs of the outer wall of the building and he read over the telegram he had just received from his long lost son, Logan, for the third time.
PA,
I WILL BE HOME SOON. HAVE TO MAKE A STOP ALONG THE WAY SO EXPECT ME WHEN YOU SEE ME. WILL DO MY BEST TO HURRY. LOTS TO TELL. GIVE MY LOVE TO MOM.
YOUR LOVING SON,
LOGAN
Seth carefully wiped away a tear that threatened to trickle down his cheek, and then read the cable yet another time.
The wire had been sent from New York City, clear across the country. Seth carefully folded the paper and stuffed it into his shirt pocket. He had to hurry home and relay the news to Cassandra. Tell her that their son would be coming home. He always knew he would be. All
was well with the world.
<><><>
Logan was glad when the long train trip was finally coming to an end. He’d enjoyed watching the scenery change from green grassy hills of Missouri west from St. Louis to Kansas City, then gradually south through the grassy plains of Kansas. Southwest through Oklahoma was nothing but desolate red dirt, but he knew that once they hit the Texas border, he’d be in God’s country.
Logan had a friend in Texas, though he didn’t know if he was still a ranger or not, as that had been many years ago. The ranger had been stationed in Austin, but that was far to the southeast from where they would be, however, the man could have left the territory by now, as he had known him many years ago. Logan liked Texas, and had been through there many a time. It reminded him of home. However, it was still quite a ways from his beloved home in the Wyoming territory.
Texas covered a vast area, and the land looked the same to him as it had those many years ago, as the train rolled across the border, and Logan knew that land never changed anyway, just people change, though folks can change the land too.
Texas had good rangeland and cattle did well here.
Logan had listened intently to Olivia’s poetry reading several times, during the long train ride, and her melodious voice had been soothing to the soul. She was very poised and learned, though he wished just for once that she would loosen up, and stop being so prim and proper. Oh well, as he’d told himself more often than not, she was definitely not for him. So why should he care? He didn’t know why, but he did care.
They would be leaving the comfort of the train soon, and then traveling part of the way by stagecoach. The tracks only ran so far.
Back in the luxurious coach at the far end of the long train, Olivia sat on a soft divan, gazing out of the window at the desolate and dreary land. There had been nothing but miles of red dirt, but now the conductor had told her uncle that they had entered the territory of Texas, and the scenery would change for the better. She didn’t see anything better. She just saw nothing but dry grasses from where she sat, but she wouldn’t complain. Never.
Olivia carefully pulled down the shade. All the way across the eastern states she’d enjoyed the lush greenery of the countryside, and even the rolling green hills of Kansas. She hoped that when they got further into Texas things would look better.
Olivia decided to read for awhile, just to herself. The last time she’d read aloud to the two men, she’d caught Logan’s deep green-eyed gaze upon her once too often. Well, of course he did have to look at her, as she was reading to him. But did he have to look so…..so…..Well, that intent expression in his eyes was enough to make anyone nervous. She had mispronounced a word or two then, in that last rendition, but didn’t think the lout noticed, as his expression hadn’t changed a bit, when she’d glanced his way.
Maria and Ricardo had been enjoying themselves very much on the long trip, however mostly they had stayed in their pullman compartment. Often though, they’d bring breakfast to the coach for Olivia and her uncle from the diner, though they always ate supper in the diner car in the evening, and then, usually, Maria, Ricardo and Logan joined them at that time.
Maria hadn’t any chores to do on the train, as the porters took care of the cleaning, and bed making. Claude had told Olivia that Logan spent most of his time in the lounge, which was several cars to the front, and that he sometimes played cards with some cowboys who were on the train heading back to their Texas ranch. Olivia wasn’t interested in where Logan spent his time. Or was she?
It was a hot and dry afternoon when the train chugged into the edge of the dusty little town of ‘Nowhere’, though it was definitely ‘somewhere’ in the northern part of Texas. However, the town had been aptly named; at least that’s what the weather beaten sign said that hung over the doorway of the small one-room depot.
Olivia’s expression was one of surprise, as she stepped off the train into a blast of hot air. It had been warm in the coach, but this was different from anything she’d ever experienced before. My, this was Texas?
Claude seemed to be enjoying himself immensely, so Olivia wouldn’t complain about the heat, as she walked on toward the depot, what there was of it. Logan had strolled on ahead, and then had looked back at her, and grinned, with that idiot twinkle in his eyes. Olivia just tilted up that perky little chin, and looked away, pretending not to notice. That movement of hers usually was his undoing, and he just grinned all the more.
Maria and her husband, Ricardo, were in heaven. This was their kind of climate, and Ricardo happily reached down to grab some of the luggage which had just been set out by the porters. There was only one small hotel, that they could see, and describing it as run-down, Olivia felt, would have been putting it mildly. Though she said not a word. She would not complain! She did, however, feel that Garth’s many adventures on the high seas could not have been equal to this! She’d most certainly have a tale to tell Garth when they returned to the civilized east coast.
Well, at least Logan would be in Wyoming at that time. Then she remembered what Logan had gone through for eight long years, and she felt that anything would look good to him now. Now she really wouldn’t complain. And she still hadn’t seen any of Amelia’s ‘Indians’.
Olivia was sorry that she was sometimes rude to Logan, but she just couldn’t help herself. The man made her so nervous and shaky sometimes. Just his very presence in the same room she was in. He had such an impressive stature. Of course, that was it! Well, he was good-looking, actually downright handsome. “Well, he’s also an American and on his way home. I live in England.” She told herself emphatically.
Claude had been talking to the railroad conductor and now he walked over to where Olivia stood in the shade of the small depot, looking down the dusty road toward the small row of buildings that made up the main street.
He quietly took her arm, and began ushering her towards the hotel across the road, as Logan, Ricardo and Maria followed; Logan and Ricardo loaded down with carpetbags and valises. Claude then told Olivia, “I instructed the conductor to be sure and have our leased coach put out at Kansas City, and have it kept there for our return trip. We’ll pick it up there, as we’re not sure yet if we’re going on to Wyoming with Logan. We’ll have to wait and decide that issue while we are at the ranch.
“If we do go to Wyoming, we will be returning by way of Nebraska, then part of eastern Kansas then on to Kansas City, according to Logan.”
They noticed that it was cooler inside the hotel, as the group entered, then walked across the lobby, and up to the desk. The clerk was only to happy to take their ready cash and Claude paid for three rooms. Logan insisted on paying for his own.
When Olivia turned the key in the lock of the room she had been given, she expected the worst, though when she walked into the room, she was surprised. It was cleaner than expected, and actually looked inviting. It had curtains at the windows, and a nice blue handmade quilt on the bed. Claude carried her valise and carpetbag into the room, then left to check out his room next door, first instructing her to lock the door after he left.
CHAPTER 6
July, 1858
Texas
Olivia was pleased to see that a pitcher of cool water and a basin had already been placed in the room, and the refreshing liquid felt so good on her face and hands, as she made use of it. She never remembered enjoying the feel of water so much before.
She had just finished changing into a pale yellow gingham gown, a bit wrinkled, though much cooler than the heavy traveling suit she’d worn on the train, when she heard several men’s loud voices outside. The only window faced the street, so walking across the room; she pulled back one side of the curtain, and then peered out.
She saw nothing at first, but after gazing a little farther, she could see what appeared to be a tavern or saloon of some sort farther down the road and across the street. There were three men standing in front of the false-fronted clapboard building, and they appeared to be in the middle of a heated argu
ment.
A fourth man sauntered over slowly, and spoke to the men. He wore a badge, and carried a rifle, with which he apparently knew how to handle. After a slight discussion, two of the men reluctantly went back inside the saloon, and the third, seemingly agitated, said something more to the lawman, and then climbed onto one of the horses which had been tied up in front of the saloon, headed quickly down the road and out of sight.
“Well, that was an interesting scene.” Olivia breathed to herself. The men she had just seen appeared to be fairly rugged characters. Well, she’d read quite a few of those dime novels, even over in London, a lot of them the romantic kind, with those western cowboys as the heroes of the novels. They certainly didn’t look like the heroic type. They definitely were a rowdy and quarrelsome bunch, in her estimation.
Maybe that man with the star on his vest, carrying the impressive rifle, was a gentleman. She had her doubts about that also.