by J. P. Bowie
“I’ll do it if you like. I shave the captain when he requests it.”
“Do y’now?” Jamie wasn’t sure if he wanted a veritable stranger holding an open razor near his throat, but it wouldn’t make sense for the man to cut him, would it? “Right, you’ll most likely do a better job than me.” Besides, Tanaka was there to make sure Charlie didn’t ‘accidentally’ make any slips.
He settled back in the tub while Charlie softened his beard with the soapy washcloth. He closed his eyes and tried not to flinch as the sharp blade passed over his cheeks. It might be he even dozed off for a few moments. When he opened his eyes again, Tanaka was standing by the tub, rubbing a towel over his lean body, his jet-black hair sleek and shining from his bath.
His beauty never failed to stir a response in Jamie’s blood and he had to look away in case that response became visible when he stood up out of the water. He certainly didn’t want Charlie to think it was his ministrations that caused any such noticeable swelling down there. He accepted the towel Charlie handed him and thanked the man for shaving him. Running his hand over his face, he could tell Charlie had done a good job of it.
“I’ll find ye both something to wear until yer clothes come back.”
“If they come back,” Jamie said, chuckling.
Charlie disappeared for a time. When he returned, he was carrying two shirts and two pairs of britches. “Sorry, no spare boots.”
“We have our own,” Tanaka told him.
“A bit worse for wear, but they’ll have to do,” Jamie added. Thank you for these.” He slipped the shirt over his head just as Nashoba and the captain entered the tent.
“Well, are these men the same ones we found on the trail, Nashoba?” Garland asked.
Nashoba grinned. “Water makes new men of them.”
“Aye, well, your man Charlie here was a great help.” Jamie wondered at the captain’s seeming affability. Taking two wild-looking men into his camp, letting them bathe and giving them fresh clothing was strange in Jamie’s opinion, but he couldn’t fault the captain’s apparent ease with which he conducted himself. And maybe Tanaka was right. There did appear to be some kind of bond between him and Nashoba.
“Now that you’re kitted up, you must be hungry. I know I am.” Garland flashed them a winning smile. “We’ll head over to the officers’ mess tent and take care of that in a moment. First, I want to know if you’re still of a mind to join us tomorrow against the French? Nashoba’s trackers tell us that there’s a large detachment of the buggers just over the rise there, all rarin’ for a fight.” He pointed to a tree-covered hill about five miles distant.
Jamie nodded. “That’s not sae far. What if they decide on a night attack?”
“We’re prepared for that. We have men, both ours and Choctaw, stationed at intervals between here and the hill. Runners will inform us if the French make a move tonight.”
“Good to know ye’ve got a handle on it. Tanaka, what say you to us having a go at the bluecoats again? I could pretend their leader’s LeTouque and gie him a wee bit of a thrashing.”
“LeTouque?” Garland laughed. “I doubt if he’s anywhere near us. He was sent back to France in disgrace two months since.”
“Was he now?” Jamie grinned at Tanaka. “No wonder there were no Frenchies on our tails.”
“How do you know the colonel?”
Jamie drew in a breath. “He was—but that’s a story to be told over the hot meal you’ve mentioned.”
“I can’t wait.” Garland ushered them outside. “Follow me then, and I expect to be told all!”
* * * *
There was no doubt that the captain enjoyed Jamie’s telling of his encounter with LeTouque, the French colonel who had ordered Jamie taken dead or alive. He roared with laughter when Jamie got to the part where he and Tanaka had turned the tables on the colonel, tying him to the tree where just minutes before he’d had Jamie trussed up and on the verge of giving him ‘the unkindest cut of all’.
After the meal and some fairly good ale, Nashoba’s hospitality extended to a lodge Jamie and Tanaka could share for the night. Jamie tried to see in which direction their host went when he left them…to his own abode or Garland’s tent. In the darkness he wasn’t sure and when Tanaka pushed him away from the entrance he had no chance to satisfy his curiosity.
“Dammit, Tanaka. I just wanted to see if you were right.”
“And what good would knowing do you? Spying on our hosts when it is not necessary is rude and—”
“Nosy, I ken, but like I said I just want to see if you’re right about them.”
“I am right.”
“Oh, then there’s nothing else to say about it?”
“That is also right.”
Jamie huffed. “D’ye think they ken about us?”
“Undoubtedly. They are not stupid men. Now…” He pulled his borrowed shirt over his head. “As we have clean bodies for the first time in many weeks, I suggest we do not waste time by gawking at other men.”
Bringing each other release while hampered by the cold and heavy deerskin clothing had not been a satisfactory way of making love. Seeing Tanaka’s smooth and limber body bared before him was a joy…and an invitation too sweet to ignore. Quickly, he removed his shirt and dropped his britches, kicking them off to one side. He grabbed Tanaka and, after claiming his mouth with a crushing kiss, tipped him over onto the bearskin rug that covered one corner of the lodge. “No time like the present!”
Chapter Two
Captain Garland was sequestered with his officers when Jamie went looking for him the next morning. Charlie informed him that a sortie against the French was planned for later in the day.
“The scouts have reported that the Frenchies are on the move but heading west toward Fort Bligh. One of ours,” Charlie added when he noticed Jamie’s questioning frown. “The captain wants to stop them before they get too far, as it were.” He straightened his back and saluted smartly as the captain approached them.
“What’s this, Charlie, giving away military secrets?” Garland sounded stern, but Jamie noticed the quirk to his lips.
“Oh, no, sir…”
“That’s all right. Ready your kit. We march in an hour.” He stared at Jamie. “You mentioned that you and your companion would be willing to join us against the French. Are you still of that mind?”
“Aye, if you can supply us wi’ a firearm or two. All Tanaka and I have are knives and hatchets for close combat.”
“That can be arranged,” Garland told him. “Where is your friend?”
“He went into the village to see if our clothes survived the washing.”
Garland chuckled and ran a hand through his corn-colored hair. “They were the worse for wear, but I can drum up a jacket or two. Nashoba says we can expect warmer weather in the next day or so. Perhaps they will not be needed. Very well… I must attend to last-minute preparations. You said Tanaka was an excellent tracker. We can use him today along with Nashoba. Have him report to me when he gets back, with or without your clothing.”
“That I can do.” Jamie nodded and Garland strode off toward the other officers. Not a bad lad for an Englishman, he thought. We’ll see what kind of leader he is, soon enough. Tanaka joined him holding a bundle Jamie presumed was their clothing.
“Are they wearable?”
“Yes. They pounded so hard the skin is soft and feels better.”
“Good. They’d been wet and dry so often they were hard as tack.” He ran a hand over the deerskin. “Oh, aye…much better. Not as soft as your skin, mind…” He grinned at his lover. “Last night was grand.”
“It was.”
Jamie’s grin got wider at the slight flush on Tanaka’s cheeks. A pity he and Tanaka were out in the open. He wanted to kiss Tanaka and wrap him up in his arms, but there were too many soldiers and Choctaws milling about, readying themselves for the march against the French.
“I volunteered you for tracker. I hope that’s a’ right. You’ll be
with Nashoba.”
Tanaka nodded. “I was going to offer myself to the captain.”
“I hope that doesna’ mean what it sounds like.”
“What does it sound like?” Tanaka paused for a second as if waiting for Jamie’s reply then his cheeks flushed again. “Oh…”
“Not that I’d allow it to happen, mind.”
Tanaka blinked. “You would challenge him? Perhaps not your best idea. The captain looks very fit.”
Jamie gave him an incredulous stare. “Y’think I couldna’ take him?”
“Eventually, but it would be hard on you, I fear.”
“Hmm…” Jamie was about to defend his prowess when he caught the twinkle in Tanaka’s eye and the slight lifting of his lips. “Aha, you’re jesting, of course.”
Nashoba joined them and thanked them for joining forces with his people against the French. “The bluecoats attacked a neighboring village last month. We were saved by Captain Garland and his soldiers’ presence. Something the French were not expecting to find here. They took heavy losses and ran after their first attempt to destroy us.”
“The captain’s a good leader?” Jamie asked.
“Oh, yes.” Nashoba’s dark eyes gleamed as he replied. “A wise commander, my father called him. He affords his men respect and they love him and would follow him anywhere.”
“Wise indeed,” Tanaka said. “To have his men’s faith in him in time of battle will almost always secure victory. My cousin Black Eagle has that power. His people revere him.”
Nashoba nodded. “I have heard of him. And you, Jamie. I see in you a leader also.”
“Not really.” Jamie shook his head sadly. “I captained a ship for a time, but, while the men might have thought I did a decent enough job of it, I made some bad mistakes that got nearly of them all killed, and myself enslaved. If it hadna’ been for this man here at my side, I most likely would’ve died among pig shit.”
Tanaka snorted. “Not the Jamie MacDonald I know. If I hadn’t been there to set you free, you would have made good your escape sooner or later. Of that I am certain.”
“Maybe.” But Jamie remembered that night as the one where his spirits had never been as low. The humiliation of a lashing by Ferguson, the pig farmer who owned Jamie, might very well have been the final straw to break his will forever. “However, we’ll never know,” he murmured almost to himself as he pushed the memory of that night to the back of his mind. He smiled at Nashoba. “Because along came my savior…” He gripped Tanaka’s shoulder. “And I’ve been trying to repay him ever since.”
“We are both fortunate then,” Nashoba said, turning to look back at where Garland stood conferring with his men. “The captain saved my life when my father and I were betrayed and captured by the French. I am forever in his debt, even if he tells me I am not.”
Aye… Jamie’s gaze swept over from where Nashoba stood to the tall figure of Captain Garland engrossed in conversation. I have a feeling your affection for the bonny captain might stem from mair than just mere gratitude…
* * * *
Jamie had to admit he was impressed with the way Garland’s troops conducted themselves on the march west toward Fort Bligh. It was obvious that, just as Nashoba had told them, the men respected their captain. Their uniforms were clean, their boots shined, their muskets and swords polished. The discipline within the ranks, too, was apparent. Better, much better than he’d seen when led by the mad Captain John Davenport.
He and Tanaka had often talked of that time when it seemed as if Davenport’s treachery would go unpunished. The devil had murdered a fellow officer who had also been a friend in order to escape the firing squad. He had then made it his life’s ambition to kill all those he deemed responsible for his fall from grace. Jamie could still remember the look of abject terror on the man’s face when he realized there was no longer anywhere he could run to escape justice.
Captain Garland seemed to be of a very different breed. But let’s see how he conducts himself when faced by the enemy, he thought with just a touch of cynicism, remembering how Davenport had tried to crawl away on his belly while all around him his men were fighting for their lives against the Choctaw.
Ahead, Tanaka, Nashoba and several other Choctaws scrutinized the trail in front of them and the thick forest on either side. He doubted that soldiers would lie in wait among the trees, but they couldn’t be too careful, he supposed.
They marched for the best part of a day with none of the scouts reporting back a sighting of the French troops. Garland looked worried when he gave the order to rest, as well he should. If the French made it to Fort Bligh before the captain’s troops caught up with them, it could go badly for the English at the fort. No doubt there were settlers there too, men, women and possibly children. That would put the commander of the fort in an even more difficult position. Civilians depended on the army to keep them safe, and whoever was in charge at Fort Bligh wouldn’t want to put their lives in jeopardy. On the other hand, surrender was probably not foremost in his mind either.
He made his way over to where Captain Garland sat with a couple of officers. “Captain, a word.”
“What is it, MacDonald?” He stood and led Jamie a little distance from the others.
“I was wondering if you would approve of Tanaka and myself going on ahead alone. I have a feeling we could cover more ground if we didn’t have to wait for the troops to catch up. I know the lads are doing their best, but being weighed down with their kit and weapons makes for slow going. If we find the Frenchies, we might be able to cause a diversion or two to stop them in their progress for a wee while. It would gie you a chance to gain some ground between them and your men. What d’ye say?”
Garland grinned at him. “Quite the adventurer, aren’t you? I wish I had that same free spirit to go galivanting off into the woods. I’d come with you if I could, but the men…”
“Need you. Aye, they do,” Jamie finished for him. “So, you’re a’ right with this idea of mine?”
Garland nodded. “But don’t get yourselves captured. I may not have the men to spare to rescue you and your Indian friend. Should I send Nashoba with you?”
“I think your Indian friend would rather stay by your side, Captain. Tanaka and I work well enough together.”
“When will you leave?”
“Now. There’s no time like the present, I always say.”
“Very well.” Garland held out his hand. “Good luck, MacDonald. Try to stay alive.”
Jamie smiled as he shook the captain’s hand. “Well, so far the devil hasn’t seen fit to take me.” He clapped the captain’s shoulder and hastened over to tell Tanaka of his plan.
“Not much of a plan,” Tanaka grumbled as they set off. “We find the French if they don’t find us first, then what?”
“What we’ve done before, many times. Cause chaos in their ranks. Slow them down so they don’t reach the fort before Garland and Nashoba can head them off.”
“You make it sound easy.” Tanaka sighed. “Sometimes I wonder why I joined forces with such a foolhardy man.”
“Because y’love me?” Jamie laughed under his breath and Tanaka grunted. They made good time through the forest, unburdened as they were by heavy packs, their only weapons the muskets given to them by Garland along with their own knives and hatchets. Keeping low and ever watchful of all the places that could serve as ambush they came upon the French encampment situated on the banks of a dried-out river bed. The sky was darkening with approaching night as they circled the pitched tents, avoiding the sentries posted at intervals around the perimeter. They soon established that they were looking at a force of about three hundred troops and two cannons. Enough and more to take Fort Bligh handily.
“We have to disable the cannons,” Jamie whispered in Tanaka’s ear, taking stock of the two soldiers on guard duty nearby. “That’ll cause enough of an uproar to start with.”
Tanaka nodded. “If we push them into the river bed, it will take them some t
ime to get them out.”
“And enough of a distraction so we can set fire to the tents. That’ll rattle them,” Jamie muttered with glee.
“Take them both to the edge before we push them in,” Tanaka said. “That way the camp won’t be alerted until both are gone.”
“Good thinking. Right, take the guard on the left…” He slipped from their hiding place, drawing his knife from his belt. The guard must have sensed something, for he turned, his eyes wide with shock on seeing Jamie almost upon him. He started to shout a warning, but Jamie clamped a hand over the guard’s mouth as they crashed to the ground. The soldier squirmed under Jamie, trying to knee him in the groin, but Jamie’s weight was too much for him and his squeal of pain was muffled as Jamie plunged his knife into the man’s chest. Jamie glanced over to where Tanaka was pushing himself up, the other soldier dead at his feet.
They nodded at each other then started to heave the first cannon toward the river bank. Once it was balanced on the edge, they turned to the other cannon and brought it alongside the first one.
“Right…go,” Jamie said between clenched teeth. They gave the first cannon one final push and it made an almighty noise as it hurtled down the slope and landed upside down on the river bed. Shouting could be heard from the camp as Jamie and Tanaka gave their attention to the second cannon. It went down with an even more thunderous noise, taking part of the river bank with it.
Jamie grabbed Tanaka’s arm and together they fled into the cover of the trees and undergrowth before the soldiers arrived. The two friends watched as the soldiers stared in horror at the dead soldiers, and the cannons lying at the bottom of the embankment. A clamor went up, the soldiers looking wildly about them, while Jamie and Tanaka made their way to the back of the encampment…and the campfires. They began kicking the smoldering firewood into the tents and soon had several of them in flames.
Another cry of, “Feu… Alarme!” The burning tents had been seen and a contingent of troops sent to deal with them. Chaos reigned as soldiers ran about trying to find water while their commanding officers screamed what was little more than ineffectual orders.
