by Joel Baker
“I think we better get back and head down seventy five,” James said.
“Why do you call it seventy five?” Molly asked.
“It’s called seventy five,” James said. “Because of some old rusty signs with the number painted on it. It was a major road before the Go Back. I saw an old road map once and the big roads all seemed to have numbers.”
Molly leaned over the rail and studied the road below.
“It doesn’t seem possible all those rusted out hunks of metal used to be cars.”
“It was a long time ago,” James said. “I was told they’d go flying up and down this road. I don’t know, but I bet they used to crash into each other and when they did… It must have really been something.”
“Father tells the congregation,” Molly said. “The Go Back was God’s way of telling us all to slow down, to think about what we’re doing.”
“Maybe he’s right,” James said. “I don’t know. My people say it all happened because we ran out of oil. When we did, the transportation stopped and people quickly began to run out of food, electricity, and everything else. When that happened, everything just fell apart.”
“Maybe God made us run out of oil,” Molly said quietly.
“Maybe, but I don’t think so.” James replied. “Some people don’t think we ever really ran out of oil. It’s just those in power decided they didn’t want us to use oil anymore. They thought it was evil or something. A few thought a windmill or the sun was the answer. So they made sure oil was in short supply and things just spun out of control. They couldn’t stop what they started and we all reaped the whirlwind.”
The two of them strolled towards the horses. Molly’s father was dozing in the shade. They walked close to each other, their hands almost touching. There was a powerful attraction and James thought they both seemed to feel the pull. He didn’t know what or even if there was a next step. Was there something he was supposed to do or not do? James felt awkward for the first time in a long time.
They woke Molly’s father and mounted their horses. Just before they rode out, Molly rode up next to James and laid her left hand high up on his leg.
“Thanks for the walk,” Molly said, smiling at James. “Maybe next time you’ll tell me about the huge black dog that has been following us since we left last night.”
She urged her horse forward and rode beside her father for the next hour or so. Shortly after midday, they made a wide circle around the tavern James had stopped at on the way up. James would have loved to stop for food and rest, but he knew anyone chasing them would head for the place.
A few more miles and Molly dropped back to ride next to James. “I’m more than a little curious. Does the dog following us belong to you?”
“No,” James said. “Our dogs belong to no one. They’re… different.”
“There’s more than one?” Molly asked. “The one following us is enormous. Is it their size that makes them different?”
“It’s kind of a long, strange story,” James said. “It all began many years ago when my great grandparents, Jesse and Sarah Colter came to a valley named Haven.”
James told her about the way of the dogs, his grandparents, and his saving Samson from certain death. About all the things he and Sam had done together. She was surprised there were almost thirty of these dogs in and around Haven.
“Well,” James said, “they come and go as they please. But they have a tremendous bond between each other. Even Samson has to go if summoned by the group.”
“Samson?” Molly asked. “Your dog is named Samson?”
‘Yes,” James said. “I named him myself.”
“Is there a Mrs. Samson?” Molly asked.
“No,” James said. “We’ve both managed to stay single. Of course, when the right one comes along…”
“Is there any chance of that happening in the near future?” Molly asked.
“I’m pretty sure it already has for one of us,” James said.
Molly managed to blush and smile at the same time. James nudged his horse forward to ride beside her father for a while.
Chapter 11
It was late in the afternoon when James and Molly both spotted smoke rising around a bend in the road.
“Stay here,” James said as the three riders pulled short.
James disappeared around the curve and was gone for several minutes. When he returned he saw Molly held a small derringer in her hand. It had a ribbon extending from the handgrip. He watched as she put the ribbon around her neck and let the derringer slip down the front of her shirt. He motioned for Molly and her father to advance.
“It’s some of the people I ask to meet us here,” James said. “Their leader is Charley Oaks who is a good friend of mine. They’re Cherokee, but you have nothing to worry about.”
Molly nodded her head with a worried look on her face. They followed James around the curve in the road and up to the four Cherokee sitting next to a small fire. All four rose as the riders approached. They dismounted and introductions were made.
“We have coffee,” Charley Oaks offered.
“The coffee is lousy, but it’s hot,” James said as an aside to Molly.
“Charley, I have news and it’s not good,” James said.
James showed him the map and they discussed implications for the Cherokees and Gypsies. Since the map showed an arrow headed toward New Town, they knew they had to warn Luther. Another arrow pointed towards Cherokee land and they would have to carry the news to Waya as well.
“How many Temple People will they send our way?” Charley asked.
“I think we can expect at least a hundred against the Gypsies,” James said. “If they all come as one group, they could field two hundred.”
“We cannot fight two hundred,” Charley said. “We can field maybe one hundred fighters. Most of those have no experience. We lost many good men in that stupid war we had with the Pentecostals last year. It will take time to recover.”
James walked a long ways off to be by himself.
“Where is he going?” one of the Cherokees asked.
“He goes off to think if he has to make a big decision,” Charley answered.
A few minutes later James returned to the group.
“Here’s what I think we should do,” James said. “Charley, you and I will have to ride like hell back to New Town and tell Luther what is coming. Then we’ll ride to Waya and have him assemble as many veteran fighters as possible from all the districts and wait. Leave the young ones at home. They will have to be the last line of defense if we fail. Have all the Cherokee fighters parlay back at the Waya camp. Will they come?”
“Yes, they will come, or we will all die,” Charley said.
James turned to the three remaining Cherokees.
“Listen closely my friends,” James said. “You must return to Christiansburg and follow the militias when they are dispatched. Count them and as soon as they head south, one of you must ride and warn Luther. One of you will have to warn Waya. Together the Cherokee and Gypsies should be able to wipe them out. Will you do this?”
The Indians nodded their heads in agreement.
“I’m pretty sure,” James said, “one of the militias will be headed to Ridge. After that they’ll head to Haven. I will be at Waya waiting for word on where the Militias are headed. You must get word to me as soon as possible.”
James pointed to the third Cherokee. He nodded his head and James thought he was trustworthy.
“What if the militias all ride towards us, James?” Charley asked. “What do we do?”
“Haven will send fighters if they can, Charley,” James said. “We’ll turn out in force to help you. But I don’t think it will happen.”
“How can you know?” Charley asked.
“After Pastor John met Molly and her father, someone targeted Ridge on the map. I think it was Bates. What he wants is in Ridge and then Haven. The guy hates me and seems to be a nut job of the first order. He’ll head to Ridge for Molly
, and then to Haven for me. This is personal. Bates and at least half the raiders will head for Haven.”
James waited for it to sink in before continuing.
“Molly and her father must head back to their home over in Ridge,” James said. “Reverend Gentry, how many families are in your congregation there?”
“There are twenty two families, about eighty souls, I think,” the reverend said.
“Eighty seven, father,” Molly said.
“Reverend,” James said. “You need to warn all those people Bates and the Militia are headed their way. They have to get out of there. They’ll need to take anything they can carry and head to Haven. Do you know how to find it?”
“Over by Eagle Rock,” Reverend Gentry said. “Just past Linden, about a hundred miles from here.”
“That’s it,” James said.
James took his knife out of his legging.
“Take this knife with you,” James said. “It is very important to my family. Show it to my Great Uncle Paul. It will prove you came on my direction. They will welcome you. Warn my cousins the militia is headed their way. They will know what to do. Tell him to have at least twenty fighters, with mounts, armed, and ready to go when I need them. Sir, do you have all that?”
“Yes, yes, of course,” the Reverend said.
James looked over at Molly and she nodded her head.
“Don’t kill your horses, but ride hard,” James said. “Get ready to leave, Charley. Molly, I need to talk to you alone.”
James walked a short way off and waited for Molly to join him. He took both her hands in his and looked down into her eyes.
“Molly,” James said. You just have to make it to Haven. This is all new to me, but I think something special has happened, or at least could happen, between us. Promise me you’ll be there and make sure your people will be there too. Your father is a good man, but…”
Molly put a finger on James lip.
“Hush,” Molly said. “I’ll be in Haven when you get there. You don’t have to worry. For the first time in a long time… I don’t know… Just kiss me, James Colter.”
James felt Molly move closer. They gazed into the others eyes, trying to capture the depth of feeling of the moment. Molly closed her eyes as one hand cupped James cheek while the other hand rose to press the curls of hair on the back of his neck. She drew his head down toward her lips. James closed his eyes as their lips at first barely touched.
He sensed Molly’s full, soft lips part ever so slightly and he pulled Molly hard against him. The intensity of the kiss grew as each tried to impart the depth of their feeling on the lips of the other. A moment out of time, each knew might have to last a lifetime. They held each other a little too long and finally breaking apart, walked back towards the rest of the group.
James gave last minute instructions and they all mounted and the three groups rode off in different directions. The scouts rode towards the militias, Charley and James toward the Waya, and Molly and her father toward Ridge and Haven. James looked over his shoulder as they disappeared around a bend and saw Molly looking back at him, tears in her eyes.
Chapter 12
James and Charley rode all day and rested the horses a few hours that night. They arrived in Waya village midmorning the next day. Waya understood the dangerous situation with the approaching Militias and dispatched riders with instructions to the closest Cherokee districts. James asked Waya for new mounts explaining he and Charley would ride to warn Luther and the Gypsies. As they rode out of the village Flower’s smiling face appeared in a window of Waya’s cabin.
Luther listened closely to what James and Charley had to say. The Gypsy was an impressive figure. The first thing James noticed was a huge gold earring suspended from Luther’s right ear. At close to three hundred pounds, bald, and short, Luther resembled a human ball. When he shook James hand he revealed enormous strength. His deep set eyes were bright with intelligence.
“So you want me to assemble my men to meet this militia, maybe a hundred riders,” Luther said. “You will stay in Waya until the scouts report and ride to support us if the Militia heads our way? Yes? This is your plan?”
“Yes,” James said. “If you are attacked, the reserves located at Waya will ride and support you. The militia will be traveling slowly and stopping to loot and pillage. I would plan on having at least a week before they get this far south.”
He watched as Luther appeared deep in thought.
“It is a good plan, James Colter,” Luther said. “We will do it. If they head to Waya or Haven, we will ride and support you also. This I pledge.”
As they left the Gypsy town, James remembered he hadn’t seen Sam in some days. It wasn’t like Sam to just disappear for long periods of time. Usually he would make quick eye contact to let James know he was there. Then Sam would disappear again. James was more than a little worried.
When they arrived back at the Cherokee village, Waya reported over thirty Cherokee had already arrived and more were on the way. James left Charley to organize the Cherokee when they arrived. James headed out for Haven.
He rode fast and hard since he had his sorrel back. He warned everyone he encountered the militias were coming and to keep out of their way if possible. There was still no sign of Samson by the morning of the second day, when James rode into Haven. Both he and the horse were exhausted.
No sooner did he dismount then the door to the main house flew open. Molly ran to him, jumped into his arms, and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Glad to see me?” James asked smiling.
Molly kissed him hard on the mouth in reply. A large gathering of Colter folk surrounded the two. James shook hands with everyone he could. He hadn’t been this glad to be home ever. The Reverend Gentry stood off to one side. He looked dejected to James.
“Reverend Gentry,” James said. “Did you get everyone out of Ridge? The militia could be arriving even as we speak.”
“I was only partially successful, James,” Jacob said.
“How many stayed behind?” James asked.
“Over half came with us,” Jacob said. “Thirteen families came, about sixty men women and children. I could not convince the rest of the danger. I failed. They couldn’t imagine Pastor John and the People’s Temple would do more than take some of their food which they were willing to share.”
James looked at Molly and she nodded her head. James walked over to the dejected Reverend and put his arm around his shoulders.
“You did all you could, Reverend,” James said. “That’s all any of us can do. I’m going to need you to help organize the folks you brought from Ridge. Can you do that for me?”
The Reverend seemed to stand taller and brighten a little.
“I will do what I can”,” Jacob said.
James noticed his cousin Seth Colter, one of Uncle Paul’s boys was trying to get his attention.
“What is it Seth?” James asked.
“You’re so busy,” Seth said. “I hate to bother you with this now.”
“I got time,” James said. “What is it?”
“Well,” Seth said. “It’s that Mason Lowery character you were looking for. I found someone who knew him. Said this Lowery guy was a real scary dude. He said he’s mean as a snake, kind of creepy, and just likes to hurt people.”
“Did he say what he looked like?” James asked.
“Yeah he did,” Seth said. “I don’t know if I believe him or not. Said Lowery was an albino of all things. Can you imagine that?”
“Actually Seth,” James said. “It makes a lot of sense.”
James called the family elders into the dining hall and explained the situation and what was at stake. Molly, who had already outlined the situation when they arrived from Ridge, sat off to one side. The elders had a list of volunteer names and James took only the most veteran fighters to be in his reserve.
“We don’t know where the militia will strike once they’re done at Ridge,” James said. “We have scouts follo
wing them. As soon as the militia deploys, the scouts will ride to Waya and let us know. I doubt Pastor John would be dumb enough to split up his militia. I think they will turn as a single group toward the Gypsies or the Cherokees. We believe there will be no more than a couple hundred raiders. There will be Cherokee reserves in Waya village. We intend to send reserves there as well. When we find out where the main forces of the militia are heading, we will try to cut them off.”
“Do you think they will surrender?” Seth asked.
“We expect and will give no quarter,” James said. “These are bad people. We’re going to kill them. We’re going to kill all of them if we can. Are there any questions? No? We ride at daylight.”
The meeting broke up and James and Molly spent some time alone. After they became reacquainted, Molly gave the knife she carried back to James.
“Without the knife, James,” Molly said. “I’m not sure anyone would have believed us. There‘s something else you have to see.” Molly took his hand and led him out on the porch of Haven’s main house. James couldn’t help glancing over towards the place of the killing box. It was where his Grandpa Mark and the rest had fought the Haskins all those years ago.
What did you want me to see?” James asked.
“Look over there,” Molly said pointing off to the right.
Samson was standing in a circle, motionless, with six other dogs. All seven dogs stood facing towards the center of the circle, evenly spaced, with their noses touching. Nothing moved, not even their tails.
“Okay, that’s new,” James said. “How long have they been standing this way?”
“One of your cousins noticed a few hours ago,” Molly said.
“When did Samson get here?” James asked.
“It was last night,” Molly said. “It was shortly after we all got here from Ridge. James, Samson was with us all the way to Ridge and then here. I only saw him twice and both times it was as if he wanted me to see him. Like he was just letting me know he was there.”
James looked down into Molly’s eyes and smiled.