Uncivilized

by Laura Stapleton

  Del frowned and looked away. So they had been forbidden to talk with him, he guessed. First anger, then understanding filled him. He felt more than saw Sam’s gaze on him but didn’t acknowledge his friend. “I understand and am glad you could join us after all.”

  Skeeter leaned against her, taking his sister’s arm. She bent down to kiss the top of his head. The boy snuggled into her and Ellen smiled. “Both of us wanted to take the chance to hear Mr. Lucky play and to thank you for saving me.”

  He stopped just short of giving any sort of response. What words could he say that told her everything and nothing at the same time? “Your wagon is close by? I’d prefer you not walk alone to your camp, even if Skeeter is here to protect you.”

  She chuckled. “He’s the best brother ever and will keep us safe.” Ellen looked at Del as the last notes faded into the night air. “I’ve missed you terribly.”

  “Likewise,” he squeaked out before seeing the glint of unshed tears in her eyes.

  “Goodness! The dust has been terrible since Fort Hall, hasn’t it Mr. Du Boise?” She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “It’s been bad before now, and I had hoped we were done with such a nuisance.”

  “Do you need a rag for your eyes?”

  A choking laugh escaped Ellen before she clamped a hand over her mouth, her face reddening. “Not at the moment. I appreciate the thought.”

  She remembered their inside joke, then. He leaned back on his hands. “I kept the handkerchief clean just for you.”

  “You are so kind, sir.” Skeeter snuggled against her, sleeping, and she lowered her voice. “I’ll remember that for later.”

  “But now you need to leave and get him to bed?”

  “Precisely.” She smiled at him. “Good night, Mr. Du Boise.”

  “Good night, Mrs.—” he began as a way to tease her. Del grinned at her warning frown. “Miss Winslow.”

  She gently shook Skeeter awake and helped the boy to his feet. The two exchanged good nights to all the men. Del watched as they left, resisting the urge to follow and make sure they got back to their camp safely.

  Nudging him, Sam said, “She’ll be all right. We’re due to start night watch, and I’m sure they’ll be asleep by the time you take your shift.”

  “Don’t count on it.” He returned the teasing grin. “I’m wanting to be first.”

  “Sure. Just be sure there’s no sneaking the prettier girls away with you.”

  Del gave him a mock salute as he left the camp. On his way to the wagons’ half circle, he picked up Sam’s rifle. He didn’t like using such weapons, but the unrest in this area made such protection necessary.

  He managed to make the first two trips without pausing to search for Ellen. The third time, Del slowed, needing to see her. Their low campfire made spotting her difficult, but she lay facing the light and him. Keeping his ears open for intruders, he stepped closer.

  Her glasses reflected the flames. He wondered why she slept in them now when she hadn’t when they were alone together. Del didn’t blame her for wearing them now. He’d do the same, not wanting to wake up in a wilderness to blurred vision. He longed to lay down with Ellen, protect her from the night’s chill. Too many days had passed since she’d been in his arms and he ached for her. Tomorrow evening, he promised himself. Then, he’d find time to talk with her alone.

  Seven miles across a rocky plain dotted with sagebrush brought them to Snake River the next morning. Del and Arnold were the early scouts, and they’d found an easy way to the water. The dust choked man and animal alike. While Pomme drank, Del washed the dirt from his face and eyes. Each wagon, person, and stock diverted to the river, refreshed themselves, and continued on. All of them had hoped to find a spring fed, grassy valley. After twelve miles, Sam conceded defeat and they camped for the night.

  Del’s intention to pull Ellen aside for time alone never materialized. Even worse, she and Skeeter hadn’t stopped by to visit with them after their dinners. He’d offered to wash up, lingering at the river to catch a glimpse of her with no luck. Now on second watch, he’d linger a little at the Winslow’s camp. He used the excuse of checking on her and knew he lied to himself.

  The clear creek in a wide and grassy vale made the morning’s rough and dirty roads worth the effort. Sam made the decision to stay an extra hour for the stock to eat their fill. The fresh cold water refreshed as everyone drank and washed what they could. The warm day had a crisp, cool breeze. Del saw Ellen a few times, but her father hovered around her so much that even a glance couldn’t pass between them. Too soon, Lucky’s bugle sounded and they were on the road again.

  The pebbly road they traveled ended up being a thin trail winding around huge rocks. Some were small enough to pass under wagon axels. Others weren’t. Sam led them into the late afternoon and almost evening before deciding to stop for the night. By now, the Snake River lay below them at the bottom of a steep cliff. They managed to get water by climbing down a worn path.

  Again, the evening and night’s minutes seemed to drip like cold maple syrup, each taking twice as long to pass than the one before it. Del struggled to stay easygoing when the dishes needed cleaning and he’d not seen Ellen for most of the day. He turned to Sam. “First watch?”

  “If you’d like.” When Del hopped to his feet, Sam added, “Maybe I should have you wash dishes, laundry, and everything else.”

  “Up and down the bluff?”

  “It would cure you of this restlessness.”

  Del laughed louder than he’d intended. “No, nothing except her could do that, but it was a good attempt to get more work from me.” He left at Sam’s chuckle. Too many people still stirred, not ready for sleep, for him to stop and ensure Ellen’s safety as he’d done in the middle of the night. He reached the Winslows’ and kept his ears open for her voice. He didn’t want to move on without hearing her at least once.

  Silence blanked the Winslow camp, so he continued his watch. He hadn’t appreciated their time alone enough. If he’d been properly grateful, Del would have remembered every single moment. As it was, he’d allowed gaps in his memory while thinking they always had more time together. He glanced but didn’t stare every time he passed the family. Ellen faced away while Jack stared straight at him. Del didn’t want trouble, so he barely even glanced at them until his shift was up and Lefty took over. By then, everyone but them slept.

  The wagon party spent the next day close to the river. Thanks to a northerly wind, both animal and human smelled the water. The bluffs kept everyone from drinking since not even the barest of paths had been cut into the steep rocky wall. Uncle Joe was well into telling Del and Lucky about his days as a trapper when Sam rode back to them. “Gentlemen, we’ll be skirting the river all day. Lucky, Del, I’d like for you two to scout ahead a few miles.”

  Lucky tipped his hat and Del nodded. Both nudged their horses into a slow gallop ahead. Several miles passed with no good camp in sight. A cool breeze kept Del from sweating in the summer heat. They had gone farther than he liked without letting Pomme get a drink. “After the next hill,” he murmured as a promise to the four of them.

  “I hope so, or we’ll have a pack of thirsty people and animals tonight.” Lucky’s saddle creaked as he shifted in his seat. “Reckon we should start backtracking soon?”

  Del looked at the sky. The other man had a point. Another few more miles and they’d be camping by themselves. “I’d say we head back after two more miles.”

  Lucky nodded and both men rode on. They topped a slight hill and saw a wide creek below them. It had meandered in its path, a grass covering the two low banks. “Well, Mr. Du Boise, we’ve found camp for tonight.”

  The afternoon was young enough, so Del agreed. “Sure, but after a drink for all of us.” Lucky clicked to his horse and the four went to the creek. They all drank, the animals taking bites of the grass like kids sneaking cookies.

  Soon, they did a slow backtrack and intercepted the others headed their way. Sam and Arnold
rode in front and saw them first. Sam waved and trotted to them. “Camp?”

  “Yep,” said Lucky. “It’s a ways, maybe five miles ahead.”

  “Good enough.”

  All four men headed west, the wagon party behind them. They soon reached the creek and the people prepared for staying the night. Del volunteered to take the horses for staking out by the water. He made sure they were secure before heading back to the Granville wagons for fishing line and hooks. Back at the creek, he saw it was shallow in most parts so he looked for a deeper section for good fishing. He moved the horses to fresh grass after catching a fish and quit after fishing three pounds worth. If they’d not needed to veer off from Snake River, he would have had more. He made a mental note to go the extra distance the next time they reached the larger body of water.

  Uncle Joe cleared his throat behind Del, saying, “Looks like you have dinner for us.”

  He turned to face the older man. “I do, if you’re willing to cook.”

  “Help me clean them and you’ve got a deal.”

  Del grinned. He was a decent cook, but Uncle Joe had him beat. The sun had tanned the man’s face enough to hide his age. His hands, too, looked like smooth leather. Del suspected in another few years, Joe would bear the deep wrinkles most cowhands had. The two men filleted the fish on a flat rock nearby. They rinsed the meat in the water, making sure all the scales were gone before heading back to camp.

  As they approached, Sam stood up from the fire he’d been building. “Good job, men. I’m already hungry.”

  “Good, because these won’t take long.” Joe handed his part of the meat for Del to hold before rummaging around in the company wagon. “I’d recommend y’all finish up your chores real quick.”

  Lucky walked up with an armload of sticks and brush he’d managed to find. “Don’t need to tell me twice. I’ll let the others know. You just keep on with our meal.”

  They scattered while Del held the fish until Joe was ready to cook. Soon, they sizzled in the pan. He didn’t have time to wash clothes or take a bath but could get everything ready for doing chores later. By the time he’d finished, he heard Joe calling in everyone to eat.

  The more the men gathered and talked, the more Del enjoyed being a part of this group. He had spent enough time riding alone in the past couple of years. The solitude had fed his soul, but the company now fed his heart. He glanced down at his near empty plate.

  Maybe heart was the wrong word. Ellen filled that part of him, not these hooligans. Like a smudge of sap from a pine tree on his fingertips, the thought of her wouldn’t leave his mind.

  “So we’re all agreed?” Sam asked. “We’re staying here tomorrow morning and leaving out at noon tomorrow?” Each man nodded. “There’s only a couple of days between us and the river, so a short delay will help more than hurt.”

  Lucky hopped up. “With that settled, I’ll go wash up for us.”

  Del’s eyes narrowed. He knew the kid wanted to see Jenny as much as he wanted to see Ellen. He had beat Del to the task by volunteering first. “I have other washing to do. Let me help.”

  “Sure.”

  At Lucky’s knowing grin, Del felt transparent. He countered with a retort of his own. “If we hurry, we’ll get to see both ladies.”

  “Aw, well, I’m not so sure about that, Mr. Du Boise.” Lucky scuffed the ground with a toe, his face a bright red. “I’m just wanting to clean up, not see anyone in particular.”

  Everyone else laughed or at least chuckled at the young man’s denial and Del nodded toward the creek. “Let’s go, since we’re not fooling anyone.”

  “I reckon not.”

  They both walked away to the hoots and hollers of their friends. Del tried not to grin at their teasing. “How is the lovely Miss Jenny?”

  “She’s just fine, sir. I get a chance to walk with her nearly every day. We talk about nothing much. I just like hearing her voice.”

  He grinned, kneeling at the water along with Lucky. “I understand.” He rinsed off the few remaining spices and oil from one of the plates before putting it down on the bank. “Sometimes just breathing the same air is enough.”

  The young man paused. “You know, you’re right.” He handed over some silverware. “Miss Winslow, or, uh, Mrs. Du Boise? I’m sure you’re that way about her.”

  Del didn’t react to either name he’d used for Ellen. No matter what status those around them might think she had, she’d be his wife once they reached Oregon City. “I’m very much that way about her.” As if his heart had called to her and she’d answered, he heard Ellen’s voice as she approached. He turned to see both her and Buster behind them. Her step faltered when their gazes met, and Buster squealed at the sight of Del.

  She walked a little ways downstream before undressing her baby brother and bathing him. Del studied her covertly. He’d catch her glancing at him before she looked away with a blush. After a while he realized Lucky hadn’t ever passed him anything else to wash.

  “I figured you’d notice we were done soon enough.”

  “Mon Dieu!” His face felt feverish when he realized how long he’d been distracted. “Let me rinse the sand off this bottom plate, and—”

  “And nothing. Go on.” He took the dishes and put them in the clean bucket. “Go on and say something to her.”

  “She seems busy.”

  “That don’t matter, so are you. Your turn at first watch will come soon enough, so get over there and talk to her.”

  “Talk to who? Yer not talking to my daughter, and what the hell is this first watch business?” Winslow’s words grew louder with each one he said until a crowd gathered to see what the fuss was about. “Don’t tell me Granville has the fox guarding us chickens? Goddamn it all to hell! I’ll bet he does.”

  Del straightened, taller than Jack even at a decline. “I am no fox. Sam trusts me because I am dependable.”

  Jack’s jaw fell slack before he snorted. “Oh, sure you are, just like every other snaky Indian around here. Your only saving grace is bringing Ellen back, and I’m not sure why you did that unless she was no good as a wife.”

  “Exactly what are you saying about Miss Winslow?”

  “I’m saying if yer going to kidnap my daughter, get to it. I’m tired of looking over my shoulder for you sneaking up behind me.”

  In his best barrister voice, Del asked, “Are you asking me to abscond with your daughter so you can rest easier knowing she’s gone?”

  “No, I’m asking you to take her already, instead of waiting until the dead of night to slit mine and my sons’ throats.”

  Del’s anger almost kept him from breathing. How dare this man accuse him of laying in wait to murder him for something like this? He’d never need to kill to gain Ellen’s love, and Winslow knew it. He narrowed his eyes, certain he knew his wife far better than her father did. “I will never kidnap your daughter. If she is to be mine, it will be by her choice, not yours, mine, or anyone else’s.” He looked over to see Ellen still standing downstream, Buster wrapped in a blanket and resting on her hip. Del narrowed his eyes and never let his gaze leave her face. “She is with you, Mr. Winslow, and will be until she decides to resume being my wife.”

  Like a human volcano, Jack erupted and yelled at his daughter, “Resume, Ellen? You’ve lain with him already?”

  Chapter 8

  Ellen’s heart stopped cold. She took a step back as if to remove herself from the talk about intimacy and Del from her father. Something, but not everything had happened, and she wanted no one to learn of the tiniest little detail about her and Del’s nights together. “Pa, there was no anything with anyone. Adelard was a gentleman and you can be sure I was a lady.”

  Pa went up to her, poking her just below her throat. “Can I? Because every time I see him, he’s sniffing around your skirts like a hungry hound dog. You’ve been feeding him or he’d not be begging.”

  She felt the little spits from his mouth with each consonant he’d said. Ellen wanted to run as fa
r as her legs would go, even with Buster, to get away from such crude and public talk. “I’m feeding no one anything. I was kidnapped. He rescued me. You are the only one who imagines anything more.”

  “More people than just me know what’s going on here. First, Granville lets him trail along like a hound, then says he can defile you and bring you back, and finally lets him guard us? No. This ain’t happening. I’m not letting no Indian watch me as I sleep, waiting for the best time to knife me in the heart. No sirree.”

  “Pa! I am not defiled in any way.” She swallowed her nerves at how many people stood around them, gaping. Ellen didn’t know everyone there. Had another wagon party joined them in camp? She lifted her chin. “I’m innocent. Mr. Du Boise saved my life, that’s all. Please stop this show and let’s go back to camp.” She took his elbow, pulling him toward camp.

  Jack crossed his arms and dug in his heels. “No. Not until Granville stops that mangy dog from guarding us while we sleep.”

  She looked around and saw Sam standing next to Del. The two men exchanged a look before Sam nodded. “All right. Adelard is no longer on night watch effective immediately.” He took a step towards Winslow. “I’ll need someone to take his place and nominate you, since you’re much more trustworthy.”

  “What? I can’t do that. I’m still grieving for Lucy.”

  “I think you can and will do a fine job to boot. In fact, I’ll expect you to keep watch on the first shift so be ready.”

  “I’m not doing any such thing.”

  “Do you want to be on your own to Oregon City?” At the shake of Jack’s head no, Sam went on. “Then you have first watch.” He walked off, Del and Lucky following him.

  Jack leaned in towards Ellen. “Be glad there’s a bunch of people here, or I’d give you the smack you deserve for disgracing me.”