“Please be careful on your journey, Billy dear,” Alice said in a more solemn tone. “It will be very long and difficult.”
“I know, and I will be cautious. Besides, once we get out there, there will be many new things to discover. I think some of them will even be cool.”
Alice thought that she could see a faint twinkle in his red eyes. “I’m sure they will be, honey,” she said, smiling, amazed that he could see anything positive in what he was being put through. “I’m very sure.”
When the packing was complete and all were ready, John Carter called the group together once again. “It is time for our brief reunion to come to an end. Sadness, such that we have never known, envelops us; yet we must not let it overcome us. Although we have chosen different paths, the choices we make would not be necessary if not for the greed and avarice of the Georgians. I, like yourselves, am connected to this land in my very soul. Our people have lived and hunted here for generations, and our claim to title predates the Yonegas by centuries. This land was given to our ancestors by god himself. Despite the legitimacy of our claim, we are vastly outnumbered and overpowered. They have caused undue suffering to us and our children, and I am certain beyond all doubt that we can no longer remain here. We will never forget our homeland, but we must leave the lands we love behind. We will keep that love in our hearts, whether we go westward or escape to the remote mountains of North Carolina. We will also remember the greed and maltreatment. We will remember, but we will not allow those dark feelings to subjugate us, for that is not the way of the Tsalagi. The Principal People will endure. Let us go now on our separate paths. I wish you all a safe journey.”
After a few more hugs and handshakes, the two parties set off, Benjamin’s family and the Deerinwaters taking the Federal Road to Ross’s Landing, and the others taking the smaller trail eastward. The latter group resumed their previous formation, sending a scout ahead who would double back at regular intervals to assure the main body of travelers that the trail ahead was clear. They also appointed a trailer, a person who would follow along behind making sure that they were not approached from the rear.
John Carter cautioned them to travel quietly, reminding them that Benjamin had heard their approach even before their advanced scout reached him. “The militia will be searching for absconders, particularly this close to the Federal Road.” He considered dividing the group, reasoning that smaller groups could travel more quietly with less chance of discovery. All except Adam’s group were skilled hunters, used to moving stealthily through the forest, so there were advantages to keeping the group together; a large group was safer for the women and children, and communication was much simpler if it became necessary to take evasive action to avoid a militia patrol.
John and Guwaya had planned a route that would take them back to the Cohutta mountain area, keeping to less traveled hunting and wildlife trails as much as possible. It would be impossible to avoid all of the known roads, since they were limited by the numerous creeks and rivers which had to be crossed wherever they could be safely forded. Their biggest obstacle was the Conasauga River which formed the boundary between Whitfield and Murray counties. If they could keep up a good pace, they could reach his preferred river crossing just before nightfall and ford the river while they still had enough light to pick their way across.
They halted in the foothills just before reaching the Conasauga. It was darker than John would have liked for a safe crossing, but the weather had been dry and the water level was down. He and Yonah scouted the area around the river while the others waited in a secluded part of the foothills. Once they determined there was no one else around, they signaled the others to join them at the riverbank.
John Carter addressed the group, raising his voice enough to be heard over the sound of the rushing river. “We will cross now, and make our way to the foothills on the other side. Once across, it is only a short hike to a hunting camp where it should be safe to spend the night. Tomorrow we will have the rugged mountains to deal with, which will mean traveling slower, but they will give us good cover as we make our way north.”
Guwaya led the way. He had crossed this river often on more enjoyable occasions while tracking game, and knew there were easier places to cross, but those places were more likely to be watched by the militia. If everyone followed his lead and tread carefully, they should reach the other side without incident, even with the dwindling light. He carried his boy, Sagi, atop his shoulders. Woyi followed close behind carrying the bundled baby. Yonah came next; he was also familiar with this ford, and led the way for Adam and his team. John Carter would bring up the rear, leading the string of pack horses.
Proceeding single file across the river, they reached a point where they were nearly waist deep. Guwaya passed word along that this was the deepest spot, but the river bottom would be fairly flat and sandy until they reached shallower water.
Alice, trying to watch her footing in the faint light, failed to notice a log floating down the river heading toward her. Sal, right behind her, saw the log and shouted a warning, then lunged ahead to shove her out of its path. He struck the center of her back with both hands, propelling her safely out of the way. Caught unaware by the blow from behind, she plunged face first into the water. Sal tried to use his momentum to dive past the careening log, but lost his footing in the sand, and caught a glancing blow to his midsection as the log floated past. He emitted an “oomph” as the air was knocked from his lungs, and disappeared underwater.
Tom caught Alice by the arm, pulling her to the surface. Drenched, with hair dripping, she turned and sputtered a shriek, “Sal, you jerk! What the heck did you do that for?” before realizing he was nowhere to be seen. As she stood looking for Sal, another unseen blow from behind once again sent her sprawling into the river. This time it was Yonah, diving past her to the spot where Sal had vanished. Tom caught her arm again and helped her to her feet, just in time to see Sal emerge from the river with Yonah holding him up, his arms around Sal’s waist. Yonah gave Sal a squeeze to clear the water from his lungs, causing Sal to emit a stream of water into Alice’s face.
Alice’s eyes flashed in anger. “That does it!” she said. She balled her fist and threw a punch at Sal, hitting him squarely on the nose. The blow would have knocked him back into the river if he hadn’t been supported by Yonah. Alice stood her ground, glaring at Sal through her dripping wet hair, daring him to retaliate.
Sal was far too dazed to consider a counterattack. He gasped for air and felt his nose, checking for damage, then looked at Yonah in disbelief. Yonah shrugged, and with a lopsided grin said, “You certainly have a way with women, Squirrel-man,” producing laughter from everyone who had gathered around them; everyone except for Sal and Alice who continued to glower at each other.
John Carter stepped between them and flashed a grin. “I hate to interrupt the games of two young lovers,” he said, causing Alice and Sal to break their stare at each other and cast it on him. “But if you are done with your frolic, I must remind you we are in the middle of a river and should be on our way.” He gestured toward the shore where Guwaya already stood waiting, and winked at Yonah. Tom walked alongside of Alice, explaining to her about the log; that Sal was only trying to prevent her from being hit, and what had happened to him. Her anger vanished as it was replaced by embarrassment, ashamed that she had acted so foolishly rash. Obviously she would apologize profusely to Sal and thank him for putting himself at risk for her. She also agonized over the interminable chastising she’d receive from him, probably for the rest of her life. She supposed she deserved it; she had socked him pretty hard.
Yonah determined Sal was steady enough to make his own way and released his grip. He plodded through the river between Sal and Alice, like an attentive parent separating two misbehaving children. He could not help chuckling as he walked.
“I’m glad you’re amused, Tonto. She could have broken my nose!” Sal sneered sarcastically.
“I believe she could have. She mus
t be of stout warrior stock. Good thing she likes you and did not put all of her strength into that punch. I am glad you were not severely injured.” He kept facing forward so that Sal could not see the immense look of amusement on his face.
“She’s the one who could have been injured! It’s a good thing you were holding me, dude!”
“Indeed. If I was not, her blow would have put you in the river again.”
“No way, man. I would have clobbered her good if she wasn’t a girl!”
“I am not so sure, Squirrel-man. She is a most robust woman, smart and attractive as well. Perhaps you should consider her for a wife. I believe she would give you fine, strong children, and could protect you against aggressors. Your poor face cannot take much more abuse.”
“Say what?” Sal exploded. “I don’t need anyone to protect me, Tonto, and she’s the last person I’d pick for a wife!”
Yonah laughed so hard he nearly stumbled. “You are right, Squirrel-man. Best for her to have someone who can handle such a strong woman, he said through his guffaws. “We will find you a meek Cherokee woman from my sister’s clan.”
Sal grumbled something like “goofy old Indian,” fully aggravated by the goading. At least it distracted him from the dull ache in his side and his throbbing nose.
Chapter fifty-four
The site for their camp was ideal; a glade nestled within an atoll-like bowl, encircled by enormous peaks on all sides. They were in the foothills of the Cohutta Mountains, an immense, looming range directly to the east that stretched endlessly before them. The little niche, as Guwaya had promised, was secreted well enough that they risked a small campfire. A welcome comfort since they were still wet from the river crossing.
They carried enough food from last night’s camp, so there was no need for a hunting party. Yonah, Guwaya, and John Carter scouted a wide perimeter around the camp just to be sure no one else was in the area. A schedule for nighttime sentry duty was agreed upon; one person to stay awake while the others slept. They preferred to avoid contact with any others, at least until they reached the Georgia border. Their watchfulness increased since last night’s reunion with Benjamin. They were fortunate that it had been a friendly encounter; they could have just as easily stumbled into a militia camp. It was a reminder not to allow their caution to become lax and to keep alert to the gravity of their situation.
After making camp, Alice sheepishly confronted Sal, apologizing for the misunderstanding in the river and for punching him in the nose. She expected a verbal attack and was willing to tolerate some of his abuse as a penalty for her transgression. Sal’s response was so unexpected and out of character she was awestruck.
“I’m just glad you didn’t get clobbered by that log,” Sal replied. “You’re okay, aren’t you, Alice?” He gave her no indication of sarcasm, no trace of a smirk, showing genuine concern and waiting earnestly for her reply.
“Uh, yeah, I’m fine,” she said. He’s just trying to get me off-guard, she thought as she steeled herself for the expected outburst. When none came, she said, “I’m really sorry about your nose, Sal. I hope it doesn’t hurt too much.” She figured she’d play along; give him whatever opening he was waiting for and get it over with. Once again she was dumbfounded by his response.
“My nose? Oh, that. It’s fine. I hardly felt a thing; nothing to worry about. Well, I’m glad you’re okay. Have a good night!” He smiled and winked at her, then turned and walked away.
Wow, she thought, as she stood watching his retreating back. She wasn’t prepared at all for that kind of reaction; he actually seemed sincere. Was it possible that this experience had changed Sal for the better? She put that idea out of her mind as quickly as it had entered. Selflessness and gallantry were not on her list of Sal’s qualities. She pondered his motives. “He must be really planning something nasty. Well I’ve got news for Sal; there’s only so much I’m willing to put up with from him.” She shook her head and walked to her own sleeping area, trying to imagine what sort of deviousness he could be up to. She didn’t notice Yonah standing in the shadows, feigning disinterest, smiling, smugly pleased with his coup.
At dawn, Tom, who had been assigned the last sentry duty of the night, roused those who were not already awakened by the chirping birds. Several flocks had also selected the glade as a safe and pleasant place to spend the night, and they filled the canopy above the sleeping travelers. Had they known, they could have dispensed with sentry duty; the birds would have given them ample warning if anyone approached. As dawn became morning, the volume of their screeching crescendo intensified.
“Man, what a racket,” Sal grumbled. “Sounds like a headbanger concert!”
Yonah raised his hands to the sky and gazed at the treetops. “They are celebrating the morning, Squirrel-man. They are telling you to join them in rejoicing. Spread your wings and shout.” He placed his hands on the small of his back, stretched to ease the kinks that had crept in during his own morning ritual, and let out a loud whoop. “They are also telling us we are quite alone. Otherwise they would have scattered.”
“Yeah, whatever, Tonto. I just wish they would celebrate a little more quietly. I could have used a few more zees.” Sal yawned and did his own stretching, forgoing the whoop.
Morning rituals concluded, they set off again, leaving the birds in sole possession of the glade. The tiny trail ascending into the mountains was extremely brutal. This part of the Cherokee Nation was completely uninhabited. Very few people, neither Cherokee nor whites made their homes in this part of the mountains, being much too rugged for farm or homestead. Huge boulders and massive stands of old-growth forest dominated the landscape. Wild grapes and shaggy poison ivy vines, some as thick as a man’s arm, stretched between the trees, draped across their path.
The density of the foliage and the steep crags made their leading and trailing scouts ineffective, so they settled for traveling in a single group, counting on the remoteness of the area for protection. They took frequent breaks from the grueling hike. At each pause they sent a pair of men, armed with Guwaya’s long rifle, to higher ground to try and glimpse the next leg of their journey.
The only one of the time-travelers familiar with a flintlock was Tom. Guwaya gave the others a brief lesson in how to load and fire the weapon, limiting each of the three to a single shot. Not that he was concerned with the noise; it would not be unusual to hear shots fired by hunters in this part of the forest. He carried only a limited supply of shot and powder and had to ration it judiciously. The lesson would not make them proficient at shooting the unwieldy rifle, but they would at least be familiar enough with it to use in an emergency.
They progressed slowly for the next several days through the arduous mountain trails. Their circuitous route was dictated mostly by topography. John Carter, Guwaya, and Yonah knew the area well, consulting each other at trail junctions about which route would keep them moving in a generally northwest direction, avoiding the areas where they might encounter hunters or prospectors. To the team, the terrain seemed prehistoric and monotonous. The massive trees, rocky outcrops, and thick undergrowth were unchanging, mile after mile, the only deviation being whether they were climbing or descending. It was always one or the other; flat ground was nonexistent in the depths of this wilderness.
On their fourth day of travel since entering the forest, they stopped for a mid-day break next to a cold, pristine brook, where Adam spotted a few likely fishing holes. He offered to attempt to catch a few fish while the others sat on the abundant granite boulders, cooling their hot, tired feet in the stream.
Sal and Yonah climbed up the adjacent hilltop, following their routine of scouting the trail ahead. Sal carried Guwaya’s flintlock, using it as a walking stick to make his way up the rocky slope, while Yonah walked effortlessly alongside, his longbow slung across his back. Reaching the top, Sal’s view was seemingly identical to every other time he had done this—nothing but vast stretches of wilderness in all directions.
Yonah pointed i
n the distance to a thin, greenish-brown crease winding through the trees. “That is the Toccoa River. We must cross it, and then follow one of its tributaries to the border of North Carolina. Only a few days walk.”
“Sweet! Now that’s some good news, dude. My dogs have had enough walking to last a lifetime.” Sal looked toward the river, trying to gauge its distance.
“You still have much walking ahead, Squirrel-man. Even upon reaching North Carolina, we must try to locate a safe haven where we can remain unseen until we have assurances that we will not be molested.”
Sal wasn’t about to let that dampen his spirits. He was elated just to have a goal in sight after so many days trudging through the mountains. “I hope this ‘safe haven’ has a soft bed and a hot bath. And a nearby pizza joint would be most awesome.”
“You are most peculiar, Squirrel-man. If not for our circumstances, what place could be better than these magnificent mountains and all the bounty they provide? Do you not yet understand the reasons for our unwillingness to leave our lands?”
“Yeah, I do, Tonto. It sure beats the hell out of a traffic jam on the turnpike. Chill out, will you? Nothing wrong with wanting a little comfort once in a while, is there? It’s an awesome place, but there’s nothing here but a whole lot of nothing.”
Yonah grumbled disapprovingly. In his opinion, these white folks from the future had already had enough comfort to last several lifetimes. “Where you see nothing, I see much. Generations ago, my people filled these lands. If circumstances permitted, I could show you spiritual places, ancient carvings designating meeting places of my ancestors, and streams with countless fish traps built centuries ago. There was a time when everything needed to live was provided by these mountains.”
“Yeah, dude, sounds great, but I still…” Sal was abruptly cut short when Yonah suddenly lashed out, clasping his rough hand over Sal’s mouth as he pushed them both to the ground. Sal struggled ineffectively against Yonah’s bear-like grip until he realized the old man was pointing at a group of men making their way along the trail. He went motionless, his indignation forgotten, replaced by a sense of urgency as he watched the men moving toward the others who were resting by the stream below and unaware of their approach.
Timecachers Page 49