by Rita Hestand
"I’m glad you added yourself in that group, because when I found you, you were nursing a huge hangover yourself. Which makes you no better. So how can you possibly judge them?"
The fire in her eyes attracted him. She was beautiful when she was mad. "For one, I'm not looking for a wife." He said and walked off.
He'd been a bit blunt with her, but someone had to wake her up before it was too late. He'd kept his promise to Bertha, he'd mentioned it. Now they were on their own about it. She was much too fine a woman to settle for something like he just described.
Still, she had a point, he'd been nursing a huge hangover himself when they met.
Anger spurred her to move toward him, stop him, "Now that we have your opinions out of the way, can you tell me how it looks up front?"
He stopped in his tracks and went right up to her, close, so close he could smell the faint flowery smell. She was a handful of woman and he immediately backed off a bit. Gritting his teeth, he looked down into her confused face. "Right now, there's plenty of water, plenty of animals for hunting, plenty of feed for our animals, and a smooth ride, but that will change. I want everyone practicing using their guns. Only a handful of you can use them."
"You've been bragging about them…" She looked surprised.
"To give them some confidence, not because they were any good."
"Why?" she asked. "Are you expecting trouble?" Her voice held shock.
What a question. He shrugged. "A good wagon master always expects trouble. I just want to be ready, in case. If you think slaving over a pitiful farm was hard, it's nothing like what we could face here."
He stared at her, and he hated what looking at her did to him, because he realized the first day out that she was one fine looking young woman. He liked her spirit, he liked how she stood up to him. He liked her and that hadn't happened often with a real lady, he noted. The day she had come to ask his assistance, he hadn't been sober enough to get a good look, but now that he had, he realized she was a mighty temptation. She had the body of a woman, the face of an angel, and even her soft voice did something to his libido. Something he didn't want to go into. He had to put all that aside, he had a job to do. Never once had he let a woman dominate his thoughts while guiding a train.
She was a mail-order bride, he had to remember that.
"We'll be getting into Indian country before too long and I want to know what you all can do. I might want to employ a few more men when we get to Ft. Kearney? Just depends on what they say about the Indian situation."
"Are the Indians hostile now?"
"There's been talk about it, yes. I won't know how bad the situation is until we are closer. Luckily there are forts scattered all along the way and that's good, but we could get caught in between too, I want us to be ready, if we do. Sometimes, they like to make an example out of a wagon train for the soldiers."
"I see. You aren't trying to scare me, are you Cully?" She stared at him now not backing away.
He wondered what she thought of him, he couldn't tell for sure. "Just making you aware of the dangers, is all. You seem to speak for all the women, you should know the dangers."
"No matter what you think of us, we aren't a bunch of helpless females. All of us have discussed the dangers of this trip. We come from hearty farms and ranches, we've worked hard all our lives. We've even defended our farms at times from Indians and renegade white men. Digging in dirt that wouldn’t grow a potato let alone anything else. We hitch our own horses, see to the water, fix the meals, and walk when we must. We take orders from you and your men whether we like it or not."
"I've noticed, but there are so many things that can happen along the way. You've got to be prepared, for any and all."
"But you don't think we can shoot, do you?"
"I hesitate to think…. I've only seen about ten of you that can manage a gun."
She pulled out a revolver and shot a small limb off a tree.
He stood there with his mouth open. "Well, that's ten out of fifty-seven women."
He could see the anger building on her face and how she paced the space between them. Better to keep her angry, then whimpering, he decided.
"Okay, I didn't level with you on how many there were, I'm sorry." She confessed, putting the revolver down on the chuck wagon makeshift table. "I apologize for that. And I get the distinct impression that you think we are all gold-diggers, is that correct?"
He didn't want this conversation.
He eyed her now, trying to figure her out. Why would a beautiful young woman want to go to such a place for a husband? Money was the only answer he had.
"Have you all thought this through. I mean….do you know what you are getting into?"
"Does anyone know that for sure, Cully?" She asked meeting his gaze.
"Just trying to gauge why attractive, hard working women would want to jump into a lion's den."
"The gold fields, you mean?"
"That's part of it, yes."
She lifted her head, as though she knew this conversation would come. "Most of us have worked bone hard for our parent's farms and ranches, all our lives. Given no opportunity to find our own lives. Some of us were forced into engagements that only furthered that ambition. Those engagements meant going from a struggling farm to another one. We wanted to pick and choose our own. And we will at the gold fields."
"And have you all picked?"
"No, we'll do that when we get there."
"Then you haven't chosen your husbands yet either."
"No."
"Then, what makes you think these men want wives? What makes you so sure you'll find a man that suits?"
She almost ran to the wagon and came back immediately handing him a paper. "Read it."
"Women, the gold fields are full of men who offer marriage and a home to brides willing to come west."
"And this is what you are basing this journey on?
"Yes, what is wrong with it?" She looked down at the paper as though there were something suddenly wrong with it.
"It's not a bible you know. You think they all want marriage?"
Her expression changed, as though the question hadn't dawned on her. "You said yourself, we're handsome women, why wouldn't they want us? Besides, we have it on good authority that these men are anxious to meet us. According to the contract we signed, the men want women, and the contract reads, a marriage must take place first. I'm of the opinion we can pick who we like, but if not, then we either marry them or leave the way we came. It doesn't matter the outcome, we will all stay in California no matter what."
"You gonna dig for gold yourself?"
"If need be!" When she fumed, he almost laughed.
"Look," he came too close, but he wouldn't move away either. "These men, the ones in the gold field are either men who have chased dreams all their lives and are on their last leg, or their young dreamers who think they've found the rainbow. Granted, they work hard, and love hard, but they are dreamers. Most of them won't ever see a chunk of gold. And if they do, they'll lose it before they ever come home to the little wife, I can tell you that much. I've seen it for myself."
"You've no right to judge people you don't even know!" She stood almost nose to nose with him now.
"Don't I?" His eyes flashed with a bit of anger himself now. "My father was a gold miner Miss Abby. And he left my mother and I to search for gold in California too. Only he came back a few years later, with nothing in his pockets. And too late to do any good."
"You-r father?" she gasped.
"That's right. He got the gold fever too. Left us to fend for ourselves. When he got back, she was sick with the pox. He tended her alright and got it too. Leaving me….to fend for myself."
He saw her breasts rise and fall rapidly against her dress, and he couldn't take his eyes off her. She was beautiful when she was angry. He wished he would quit noticing. He even wished at this moment that she was old and ugly.
Seeing what drew his interest, she backed away. "Mr. Cully."<
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"Look, I've had my say about the miners and your husbands." He edged closer, "Now, if there is anything else you didn't tell me about this bunch, I'd like to know now. No more surprises."
Slightly intimidated by his closeness she backed up a step. "Yes…I mean…. well…there is one other thing, I suppose I should mention."
He stood very close to her now, "And what might that be Miss Abigail?"
"We have a pregnant woman among us…." She made a slight face.
"Pregnant?" His brows went up in a huge frown. He knew about Carolyn Meyers, but he was glad she finally told him herself.
"She didn't know she was, until we were on our way. She'd signed the agreement, there was no way we could leave her. She just realized…"
Cully couldn't help himself. "God Almighty? Talk about complicating the situation."
"We'll take care of her."
"You sure as hell will." He frowned at her now. Then he walked off. Opening and closing his fists at a mighty pace.
He ran into Johnny and pulled him aside. Johnny looked a bit miffed. "Something wrong, boss?"
"Did you know there was a pregnant woman with this train?"
Johnny stared long and hard then nodded. "I was trying to break it to you gently."
"Why the hell didn't you tell me?" Cully scoffed.
"I figured Miss Abigail told you. Besides, I just found out myself, it's that sickly woman I told you about, Carolyn Meyers."
"Well…be sure and inform the doc about her." He fumed. He glanced at Johnny who was a bit cowed down now. "From now on, no more secrets between us. I need someone I can trust to tell me everything. It's the only way we can get there without so much trouble. Understand?" He stared at him hard. "I need to know I can rely on you for the truth and anything else that comes up."
"Yes sir." Johnny nodded. "I had to size you up boss…."
"Well, have you sized me up, then?"
He studied him closely. "Yeah, I think I have. Despite your rough ways, you got the safety of all these women in mind. I like that about you. So, from now on, no more secrets."
Cully nodded slowly.
"Sorry I yelled at you. But a baby, and all these women!" Cully apologized, he needed a good repore with his men. "But I need men that I can trust and depend on. That means the three of you men. We're going to have some rough times, hard times, especially with nothing but women on this train. I've always gotten through, and this time will be no different. Now, you are either with me, or get out now."
"I'm with you." Johnny straightened up. "I honestly thought she told you everything."
"Is there more?"
"Well…one thing I should mention, doctor is a drunk, was thrown out of town. The last wagon master thought we could use a man that knew medicine."
"Great. But I knew about that." Cully sighed. "Glad you told me. Makes me have more confidence about you. And he was probably right about the doc. Cholera is prevalent on these trails. So is the pox and a dozen other medical problems. Accidents happen, and of course the pregnant lady will need him. One thing though, I'm putting you in charge of seeing he doesn't get drunk on this trail. I can't use a drunk with all these women."
Johnny nodded, "Your right about that, too."
"I'm not right about everything Johnny. Don't give me too much credit. I can tell you that I learn something new every trip I make. Now, what about the kid, Slim, does he know what he's doing?"
"Yeah, his father raised horses, so he's good with them, kind of a natural. And you saw him handle a gun. He's good, not a hot head either. He's a good kid, he'll be straight with you too, his father taught him that too."
"Good to know."
"How does the trail look?" Johnny asked.
"Right now, we have a good one, but it won't be long. I'm not at all sure how the Indian situation is this trip. We'll no more when we get to Ft. Kearney. I want us stocked with everything we'll need and lots of barrels because the California trail is usually hot, dry, and hazardous. The water isn't fit for anything toward the end of the desert, too alkaline. The animals will suffer, tell Slim and maybe he can keep a keen eye on them during our passing."
"Noted." Johnny nodded.
After a moment, Cully stared, "You look like a pretty smart fella. How'd you get rooked into this drive?"
Johnny snickered. "That gal, Rebecca, I got a look at her and I had to hook myself up with them. She's still determined to find a man in the gold fields, but I aim to talk her out of it before we get there."
"Well good luck with that. Don't let her side-track your attention though." Cully warned.
"No, I won't. I want to live too, boss." He smiled.
Cully smiled and nodded.
"How about you, why'd you decide to take us on?"
Cully shrugged. "She caught me with a sizable hangover and I needed the money and the work. I've been up the trial enough to know what to look for. But I said yes before I realized I was taking on so many women!" He frowned.
"They are good stock though. I can tell you that. They don't complain, and they take care of things, even when it's hard to do. At some point you might find they are better than men."
"That's good, because in the hard times, we'll need them to be strong. And there will be some hard times. There always are."
"Yeah, you are right about that." Johnny nodded.
"You been out that way before?" Cully asked.
"No, came to Missouri with my family. They all died of the small pox though. Been on my own a few years."
"That's pretty rough."
"Yeah, it kind of toughened me up a bit." Johnny admitted.
"Well, don't worry, when we got something to fret about, I'll tell you first. The main thing is, you gotta be my right arm, a man I can depend on no matter what. I find it a bit hard talking to women."
"I'll do my best." Johnny nodded.
"That's all I ask." Cully said and rode down the line of wagons.
After making sure all the wagons were rolling smoothly he came back to Johnny. "I may hire a scout, at Ft. Kearney, if I can find one worth his salt. One that speaks the Indian language and stuff."
"Might not be a bad idea." Johnny agreed.
"Yeah, I get along with the Indians if they are at all peaceable, but I don't know their languages. There are a lot of different ones on the prairie and I can only speak so much of it."
"Yeah, when I came out here, I didn't know anything about Indians. I've learned a little, like not jumping the gun and shooting them on site."
"For now, things are good, but we get into it, I need someone who knows the Indians better than me. So, keep your ears open at Ft. Kearney for one. Let me know."
"Sure thing."
Chapter Seven
Except for one-wheel breaking, it was good travel to Ft. Kearney, but Cully had spotted a lot of smoke signals going up and he was anxious to talk to the commander at the Fort. He'd figured on a few, but there were more every day and it worried him that they might be talking about too many wagons coming through, not that he blamed the Indians for feeling the way they did.
Cully went directly to headquarters to talk with the commanding officer. Lt. Colonel Charles F. Smith was in command at the time.
"Good to see you Cully," Colonel Smith smiled and shook hands with him then he proceeded to offer him a cigar. Cully shook his head, "No thanks."
"Headed to Oregon again?" Colonel Smith took his chair behind the desk and studied Cully a moment.
"No sir, California."
"California? The gold fields?" Colonel Smith asked with a note of surprise in his voice.
"Yes sir, I have a wagon load of mail-order-brides." Cully announced as he took the chair in front of Colonel Smith's desk. He felt the soft leather of the chair and realized that Colonel Smith believed in luxury no matter where he was.
"Mail-order-brides, headed to California?" The Colonel looked stunned. "Unbelievable."
"Yeah, well they got word that women were in short supply in Californi
a. I'll admit, it's an unlikely bunch. But these women are exceptionally adept and determined to get there."
"I don't envy your job." The Colonel blew smoke away from Cully and relaxed in his chair. "And I must admit, I kind of admire a woman, coming west, to fulfill destiny."
"I suppose." Cully chuckled. "I wanted to find out about the Indians, sir? And anything else that is downwind of trouble."
Smith was quiet a moment dumping his ashes, his face mirrored a slight tension. "The last couple of years has been rough, Cully. The Sioux have been acting up a bit, further west you could run into trouble around Ft. Laramie, or Ft. Hall. Not to say we haven't had our share of scavengers. But here, we try to maintain peace."
"I've seen smoke signals going up all over, and so have the brides. We were a bit concerned."
"As you have a right to be. I'm a bit shorthanded or I'd escort you. But as I said, they haven't attacked since last summer."
"Have they been raiding?"
"No, not really anything major here, but I've heard some rumors about further west." He drew on his cigar thoughtfully. "No, it's more like stealing and there's been a few killings, isolated of course, tension is running high, usually from misunderstandings more than raids. Right now, they are after stock, blankets things like that. You see the treaties have been worthless to them. Just last month I was to deliver a wagonload of blankets to them, but there were only a sparse few, and so I gave them cider and food instead, they weren't happy. They needed the blankets to survive the cold winter. They can forge most of their own food, but blankets are hard to come by, and we had an unusually cold winter. But the treaties have been unsuccessful for some time and I look for an all-out assault before too long. The government wants them on reservations, but you know they won't go willingly. They are following some of the trains. Having so many females among your train, you could have some problems. I really wish I could spare some troops to go with you."