Brothers in Arms

by Philip McCormac

  ‘Not much further now, old timer,’ Joe assured Frank.

  There was no response. The wounded man slumped on top of his horse – able to stay on board only because the horses were moving slowly as they threaded through the trees.

  They saw the dark holes in the distant rock face as they came out of the trees. Riding over a rocky plateau they arrived at the bottom of the hill. Zigzag trails, looking faintly luminescent in the fading light, led upwards.

  Butch pushed ahead and began the ascent. Behind him Joe dismounted and handed his reins to Jessica. Her pale face stared out at him from beneath her battered hat.

  ‘I’m worried Frank will take a fall on the way up,’ he explained. ‘How he kept on top of that horse is a mystery. I’ll lead his mount and make sure he doesn’t come off.’

  Jessica nodded, too tired to make any reply.

  It was a fraught climb for them all. The horses did not like the narrow rocky trail they were forced to mount. At times it grew steep and loose stones broke away, falling back down the hillside. The sound of the tumbling rocks was like thunder in their ears. They imagined the posse looking up as they chased into the hills and grinning knowingly at each other.

  Butch reached the first of the openings. He could see nothing as he peered into the dim interior.

  ‘This do?’ the cowboy called.

  ‘Maybe push on a little higher.’ Joe suggested. ‘If the posse get this far we may be safer further on.’

  Butch urged his tired horse to climb further. Eventually they settled on a cave that was big enough to house them. By then they were several hundred feet from the base of the hill.

  Wearily they led the horses inside, the clatter of hoofs echoing eerily inside the cavern. Frank slipped sideways from his precarious perch atop his horse. Joe who had been supporting him for the duration of the climb was able to catch the wounded man in his brawny arms and ease him to the floor of the cave.

  ‘For better or worse, old-timer,’ he said, ‘we’ve arrived at our hideout.’

  He propped his wounded companion against the rocky wall of the cave. Frank made no reply; his face drained of colour.

  ‘Let’s get a blanket and make Frank more comfortable. Then we can take care of those wounds.’

  They peeled the blood-soaked cloths from the old man’s side and from the wound on his leg. Neither looked serious but a lot of blood had leaked into the makeshift bandages and transferred to his clothes. Joe critically examined the wounds.

  ‘That side wound looks bad. I think the bullet is still in there. We’ll have to clean both wounds and get that bullet out.’

  He looked round helplessly at their primitive surrounds.

  ‘We need a fire and some clean bandages. Fat chance while we’re holed up here.’

  ‘I grabbed up towels from that kitchen,’ Jessica declared.

  She began to unpack her saddlebags, pulling out towels and handing them to Joe.

  ‘Jessica, you’re a true frontier gal,’ Joe said, not hiding his admiration for the girl’s foresight.

  While Joe helped Jessica with Frank Butch unsaddled the horses.

  ‘Sorry fellas, there’s no feed, but if that liveryman was doing his job he should have fed you already.’

  ‘Butch, you check for water in those water bottles.’

  ‘What about food?’ the cowboy asked, as he collected the canteens.

  ‘We ain’t got any.’

  Again it was Jessica who came to the rescue.

  ‘I grabbed up this loaf and a side of ham afore we fled the house.’

  ‘Jessica,’ Joe pronounced, ‘if I weren’t already married I’d ask your hand in marriage right now.’

  The darkness of the cave hid the girl’s blushes. They shared out the meagre rations slicing the meat and bread with their knives. They sat quietly around their wounded companion cold and cheerless. They ate without talking, each lost in their own morbid thoughts.

  23.

  The young black girl struggled in the grip of the two burly servants. Her eyes rolled wildly as she pleaded with Miller.

  ‘Master, I ain’t done nothing wrong.’

  The banker ignored the girl’s pleas.

  ‘Bring her down the cellar,’ Miller snarled. ‘Geraint, go to the stables and fetch me a bullwhip. And hurry man.’

  Geraint ran down the hallway. Ruth was pulled along still protesting. Miller sauntered along behind whistling softly. The cellar door was unlocked and Ruth hesitated at the entrance. A flight of wooden stairs could be seen plunging into the dim interior.

  ‘Please master, what you gonna do to me?’

  Miller nodded to the male servant and Ruth’s speech ended in a shriek as a brutal hand in the flat of her back pushed her inside. Her arms flailed wildly as she tried to keep her balance. A boot on her rear end helped her on her way.

  She fell down the stairs, bouncing on each step to the bottom. Miller and his servant entered and began the descent. Ruth sprawled at the bottom of the steps sobbing bitterly.

  Without being told, the black man began to light the lanterns hung on the sturdy stanchions that supported the floors above.

  Miller walked slowly along the cellar floor ostensibly examining the neat rows of barrels stacked on their sides. The ends of the barrels were decorated with stencilled lettering indicating the contents along with a date. There were barrels of brandy, whiskey and gin of varying vintage. On the other side of the cellar facing the barrels were racks of bottled liquors.

  Before the task of lighting the cellar was finished there was the clatter of booted feet on the stairs and Geraint arrived carrying a coiled whip. Ruth lay where she had fallen, sobbing bitterly. Taking the bullwhip from Geraint, Miller nodded towards the weeping girl.

  ‘Tie her to one of the posts.’

  The men dragged the whimpering servant-girl across the hard-packed dirt floor and pushed her roughly against an upright. They pulled her arms around the crude bean and fastened her hands with twine to a stout nail. She hung there her young body quivering in her distress.

  As the men finished securing the girl Miller walked forward and passed the whip to Geraint. The big black man loosed the coils of the whip. In the flickering lights of the dim cavern the loop moved back and forth like a snake with a life independent of the hand holding it.

  ‘Ruth, I am punishing you because you betrayed my trust. You are my servant. Your parents sold you to me. I bought you for fifty dollars. I own you, body and soul. Your loyalty lies with me. I am your lord and master. It is only because of my beneficence that you eat at my table and sleep within the security of my house.’

  He nodded and Geraint immediately flicked his wrist. The whip cracked obediently with the movement. Ruth’s cries intensified.

  ‘I done nothing wrong, master,’ she wailed. ‘Please believe me. I would never do nothing to hurt you, master.’

  ‘For the son dishonoured the father, the daughter rises up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the people of his own house. From the book of Micah’ Miller intoned. ‘Ruth, you gave succour to mine enemies. I want you to tell me all about those people that came into my home and violated it. I want the names of the men and the girl also. I want to know what you told them that brought them back to my house. You cooperate and your punishment will be less severe.’

  Up in the kitchen the large, black cook paused as she kneaded a sizeable slab of dough and cocked her head to one side. From somewhere deep within the bowels of the house she fancied she could hear someone screaming.

  ‘Sounds like some pore gal in childbirth,’ she mumbled. ‘But that ain’t likely. Master always calls me in for that.’

  Leaving the table where she had been working she walked across to the door and opening it stuck her head outside. Another black servant was standing in the corridor. He turned scared eyes towards the door as he heard it open.

  ‘Thomas, what on earth’s going’ on? Sounds like someone is strangulating
a cat.’

  ‘It’s Ruth; the master, he done got her down in the cellar.’

  ‘Ruth!’ The cook’s eyes opened wide. ‘What’s going’ on? What they doing’ to the pore thing?’

  The man rolled his eyes in his distress.

  ‘I saw Geraint take a bullwhip from the stables. When I asked him what for he hit me and told me mind my own Gawd damn business.’

  For long suspended moments the man and woman stared at each other. The faint screams licked at their consciousness like pale shadows of pain.

  ‘Lord Gawd almighty, what’s the world coming’ to! The master wouldn’t whip that pore gal, I don’t think.’

  ‘I reckon it’s because she help them fellas as cause all the trouble. She told them about the young gal locked upstairs what the master was keeping prisoner and showed them where the guns is kept. Someone must have blabbed about her. I never seen Master Miller in such a rage as when he come in the house after them fellas fled. He reckon they the killingst murderers as he ever come across. He say everywhere they go they leave a trail of dead bodies. He sent the sheriff out with a posse hunting them. They’ll hang them sure as I stand here.’

  They heard footsteps approaching. The cook quickly disappeared back into her kitchen. There were footsteps in the corridor and she heard her master’s voice issuing instructions to his servants.

  ‘Upstairs, put her in the same room that girl was locked in.’

  There was the scuffle of boots as men moved of towards the back stairs. The door into the kitchen opened and Miller stepped inside.

  ‘Edna, finish whatever you’re doing and get some hot water and dressings for Ruth. I had to discipline the stupid girl for disloyal behaviour. She got a sore back. Maybe some ointment as well.’

  ‘Sure, Master Miller, I can leave this dough to rise while I tend to her. Where she at?’

  ‘Upstairs, Geraint and Passer have taken her up there. Geraint will show you where. When you finished I want everyone gathered in the kitchen here and that means garden staff as well.’

  Edna heard the sobbing as she approached the bedroom. Geraint, a big man well over six feet with a deep, broad chest, was inside the room glaring balefully at the injured girl. Ruth was lying on her face on the bed sobbing softly into the covers. Her torn blouse showed traces of blood.

  ‘Lordy, Lordy,’ the cook exclaimed, ‘what a racket.’

  She nodded to Geraint.

  ‘I’ll take care of her now, Geraint. The master wants us all in the kitchen when I finish here.’

  The black servant turned his broad brutal face towards the cook.

  ‘Don’t be too gentle with that one. She’s a bad ’un. Master ought to get rid on her.’

  ‘Don’t you worry none, Geraint, the master he do what’s right. Now go you and tell everyone to gather at the kitchen. I’ll be quick as I can.’

  Edna drew in a sharp breath as she saw the state of the girl’s back. Long, ugly wheals crisscrossed the girl’s torso.

  ‘There, there, Ruth,’ she said gently. ‘I got me some balm here as will ease yore pain some. But you gonna be sore for some time.’

  The gathering in the large kitchen was a sombre one. Without exception Miller employed only blacks. He ruled them with a rod of iron. His servants worked hard and they worked cheap and as long as they obeyed the rules they had a job at the big house.

  His bodyguard Geraint - a man of brutal disposition, enforced discipline. Punishment was usually a beating or for more minor misdemeanours the docking of money from their meagre wages or, as in Ruth’s case, a whipping.

  Miller enjoyed the power he wielded over his servants. Before emancipation his family had owned slaves and Miller resented the upheaval that had demolished that institution. It was some slight compensation for that loss that he now employed these servants and disciplined them as he did.

  ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand. From the gospel of Matthew.’

  Miller paused after he made this quote. There was complete silence among the little assembly.

  ‘I expect nothing but complete loyalty from you. If any of you feel it is too much to ask then I want you to leave my employ now. Go down to the bank and draw what wages are due. What goes on in this house is private. Anyone who invades this privacy must be ousted immediately.

  ‘A young woman of this household aided and abetted a group of ruffians who came here in my absence. I’ve had to discipline her. I went light on her punishment for she is young and perhaps does not yet know the meaning of loyalty. In future, any infringements of this nature will be punished more severely. When I say severely I mean instant dismissal and a term in jail.’

  Miller glared round at the assembled staff. No one dared meet his eyes.

  ‘Loyalty means reporting any disloyal behaviour on the part of your fellow members in this household. Any information brought to me in this way will be treated in the strictest confidence. I will say no more on this subject. You all know what is expected of you.’

  Their heads hung low. There was complete silence in the big room.

  ‘Tom, I want you to ride out to the old Corley place. Tell the men out there to come in and see me.’

  Abruptly Miller turned and stalked from the room. Tom arose and went after him. It was a long time before anyone in the big kitchen dared move.

  24.

  Joe lay just inside the cave mouth looking out over the valley stretching out below him. While he did sentry duty the ex-carpenter idly speculated on the various trees wondering to what use he could put such good growing wood. His carpentry days seemed in another life, as were the wife and baby he had left back East.

  The sun was dipping below the far wall of the valley and tinged the rim with a blood red light. Shadows grew long and blurred in the valley bottom. Joe tensed as he spotted movement below.

  A body of horsemen emerged from the tree line and rode slowly, studying the area as they progressed. Eventually the leading horseman raised his arm and the cavalcade came to a halt.

  Even though Joe was far above the horsemen he held his breath as if afraid the men could hear his breathing. He feared they had found some sign that indicated to them where the fugitives were hiding.

  Some sort of discussion was going on. Joe eased the shotgun forward. If the posse came up the trail seeking them out, the cave was an easy place to defend. Only one man at a time could ascend the narrow track. The defenders could hold out for days. Food would be a problem though. Joe and his companions could be starved out.

  And then there was Frank, who was the main worry. As it was, it was touch and go if the wounded man would survive in such primitive conditions. As he pondered all this Joe saw with some apprehension the men of the posse were dismounting.

  ‘Damn, they’ve spotted our sign.’

  He considered alerting his companions but decided to wait until the members of the posse began the ascent up to the cave. There was a lot of milling about as the posse dismounted. Suddenly the body of men began walking back towards the trees.

  Horses were tethered to trees and to his surprise he could see men unbuckling saddles. Others began to gather wood and Joe realised the posse was establishing a camp. A fire was started and men gathered round. Joe watched the activity as utensils were unpacked and food prepared.

  ‘Goddamn it they’re gonna keep us bottled up here and attack in the morning.’

  He kept watch a while longer till he was sure that no immediate foray was being planned then he got to his feet and walked inside to his companions.

  Butch had spread a blanket and was busy cleaning the weapons they had used in their breakout from the Miller mansion. Jessica sat close to Frank and was bathing the old man’s face which looked pinched and drawn.

  ‘The posse’s down in the valley. They seem intent on camping for the night. My guess is, they’ll wait till morning and come for us then.’

  ‘What’s to stop them at
tacking tonight?’ Butch asked.

  ‘They might,’ Joe agreed. ‘Somehow I don’t think so.’

  ‘Even so, we gotta keep watch through the night. We’ll have to take it in turns.’

  ‘I agree. Seeing as I’ve started already, I’ll carry on with the first watch. How’s Frank?’

  ‘He’s still out,’ Jessica said. ‘It doesn’t look too good. He really needs a doctor.’

  The big man reached over and patted the girl’s hand.

  ‘Don’t you fret. You’re doing your best. I’m sorry you’re stuck in the middle of this.’

  She smiled a wearily at him.

  ‘You saved my life back there when you rescued me from that big house.’

  Joe rose from the fire and walked back to his guard duty. Butch looked up from his weapon cleaning.

  ‘Tell me everything what happened back at that place,’ he said to the girl. ‘Why do you think they grabbed you?’

  So she told him about overhearing the men in the livery.

  ‘They said as I was a runaway and my ma and pa wanted me back. Then Mr Miller said the same thing. It was then I recalled that Frank said as I was a witness to murder. I began to put two and two together and realized they were going to kill me to keep me from testifying.’

  ‘I guess that was our fault,’ Butch admitted. ‘We told Miller all that had happened and that you were the only one as could identify the killers.’

  She was silent while they both mulled this over.

  ‘One thing else I learned while I was there. Ruth, the girl as helped me, told me Mrs Miller went off with some banker fella. When she returned she was with those men we think did all those killings. It seems a strange thing they took her along with them.’

  ‘Beats me.’

  They were silent then, mulling over the events of the last few days.

  *

  Butch awoke with an uneasy feeling. He had been dreaming he was back at his old job of herding cows. Now he looked about him with a sleepy haze fogging his senses.

  ‘Jeepers, I must have fallen asleep.’

  He blinked in the darkness and looked around him. The scrape of a boot heel came again.