by Rita Hestand
The women all began to bicker between themselves and Quirt knew he was going to be ganged up on soon. The beautiful young lady rolled her eyes. "You've got to be joking sir."
"'Fraid not, ma'am." His jaw slackened.
When a handful approached him a few minutes later, they stood with their hands on their hips and their faces set to a frown. "You can't do this!" They protested.
"I'm afraid it's out of my hands ladies. I have orders to protect you, no matter the cost to my men. I aim to do that to the best of my ability." He explained. "Not only you, but the homesteaders around the fort. I'm sure you can't understand, but in times of war, things change. And unfortunately, you women are caught in the middle of this one. I can tell you, that all your husbands have been buried with military honors and are resting peaceably. But moving them at this time is impossible. I only wish we could have redirected your paths before now. Some of you are from the north, and you are stepping into a path that no one knows how it will turn out. But I must ask one thing of you, during this time. The one thing I need, more than anything is for you to realize that the lot of you are a special group, and should stick together, no matter the distances you have come. I say this to protect you. As some will need this protection more than others. You are a group, a group of women, united for one cause, your loved ones. Keep this in mind and stick together. As it means your own safety. Don't volunteer information to anyone about where you are from. It could put you in danger, immediately. So, I ask, two things, stay together and stay loyal to each other. Your mission is a peaceful mission and should remain so, throughout your stay with us."
The women all began talking at once. It was worse than any Indian attack he'd ever fought in, he was sure of that.
Then a rifle shot fired into the air, stopped everyone as Jennifer stepped closer. Her forehead creased, one arrogant brow rose, her gaze was steady, first on Quirt, then on the women.
Everyone stared at her as though she'd lost her mind.
"Ladies," her glance went around the crowd. "We are caught between a rock and a hard place. Washington was trying to please us when they granted us this journey. But I am sure they had no idea what might happen in the meantime. It looks like we will soon be in a war that few of us ladies wanted. Nonetheless a war. This man has a job to do and he's got to do it. He's thinking of our welfare, which, many may not. There's nothing we can do, we are all relatives of soldiers, we know the rules, the regulations. Nothing to do but cooperate with these men at the fort and do the best we can until help arrives. So, I suggest we make do, for now! Like the man said, it is possible the Confederate officers will see things differently, until then we are stuck, not by anyone's choosing. I suggest we give this man our full cooperation. It's not a time to make more war, but to discern our next course."
"But my husband…."
Jennifer nodded, "Is dead. We aren't. Don't you see, we are in distress. We have a fort with few men, Indians on the warpath and another huge war coming at us. There is nothing we can do, except try to help in any way we can. Let's face it ladies, that's what we are good at, helping. I suggest from this moment on that we roll up our sleeves, forget the petticoats and work with the men to survive. We do want to survive, don't we?"
Quirt's brow raised in amazement, he certainly hadn't expected a woman to come to his rescue, but right then he could have kissed her for her words. Because whether they liked it or not, they all began to see the seriousness of the situation. He liked this woman.
He stared at her, up and down. She was curvaceous and had beautiful blonde hair and dark brown eyes that nailed him to the spot. She had saved him, but he saw a tongue lashing coming, sooner or later from her too.
One thing he had to remind himself. He couldn't become attracted to any of these women. Most, if not all were widows and here to tend their dead husbands. Besides that, he had more important things to worry about, like Indians and Yankees.
When the crowd of women dispersed, he went over to the tall blonde and tipped his hat. He liked the fact that he could look at her almost eye-level. Admittedly, she wasn't as beautiful as the dark hair woman, she wasn't dainty, but she had more grit than some of his recruits and given that she was worth ten of most women. "I want to thank you for that little speech you gave. I guess I'm not very good at knowing how to talk to women."
She let a slight smile slip past her firm lips and nodded, "I thought you could use some help. My name is Jennifer Weston, I've come out here to find my brother's remains and have them shipped back to New York."
"Your brother, then…. you aren't a widow?" He asked with a frown.
"No," She didn't offer any more explanation.
"I thought all the women were here to collect their husband's remains?"
"They are, I'm not. I was added to this journey by letter. I wrote some time ago, to a Mr. Robert E. Lee about my brother and he arranged for me to come out with the other ladies."
"Robert E. Lee?" His jaw flexed, as his eyes widened. "You know him?"
"My father did, and my father is the reason I've come for my brother. He was stationed at one time at your fort I believe. Do you know him?"
"Who are we talking about, your brother, or Lee?"
"Johnny, Johnny Weston."
"Actually, I knew them both. Lee was commander at Ft. Davis for a while, until all this talk of war. And your brother, yes, I know him. But Lee, has been promoted to lead the Confederate Army, did you know that?"
"No, I wasn't interested in his title at the time."
"You're from the north then."
"I'm from New York sir, but I am not a Yankee, like you might think. Not in the true spirit of the word at least." She told him. "I hope this war doesn't last too long as sitting on the fence might get tedious." She smiled now, and her face lit like a breath of sunshine. He stared for a long moment, as her beauty was not like those of the other women. No, she radiated a beauty of an independent woman, of a soulful woman, she had a beauty all her own, and he saw it immediately.
He nearly whistled through his teeth, "And you're out here in the south, you may have to walk a fine line, Miss Weston."
"I don't think so. Eventually, I will pick a side, or be forced to. Like all the others. But you are right, the more we stay together, the easier it will be on all of us."
"You're right about that? You must be what they call a free thinker."
"I am a thinker," she smiled again. "Because I don't really know who is right and who is wrong. I don't believe in slavery, but I know to gather the huge crops that are grown here, there must be cheap labor. I know the Negro has suffered so much that is not due them. I see both sides of the picture. Thankfully, I'm not a man and have to choose immediately. Because I feel many will have conflicting ideas about this war, it will be difficult."
"Then we are kindred spirits as I too see both sides of the picture. My commanding officer went north because he believes what the north is fighting for, and yet as he left his face mirrored his sorrow for leaving this post. Because here is where his heart was. Nevertheless, he left, knowing what shape it put us in, and hating doing it. People are going to be torn apart by this war. And the only ones that will win out here are the Indians."
"And what of them?" she asked curiously.
"It's their land, not ours. Only we continue to take it from them. For a short while, they will have victories here in the south."
"Short while, you think the war will be over that soon?" she asked.
"I don't know, but I do know that both sides think so. Personally, the more they fight, the longer the fighting will continue. When a man kills a friend, over a difference of opinion, he regrets it, this war will have many regrets."
"And through all this turmoil, what exactly will happen to the great Washington plan to take our loved one's home?" She asked.
"I don't know the answer to that either. I'm sorry. I must tell you now, you won't be shipping anything home for a long while. As of now your plans along with all the rest of the
ladies, have changed. And I'm afraid you are plunged into this war without warning. You'll be a part of it whether you want to be or not. You'll fight Indians, because you must. And then…. you may fight Yankees, because you will have no choice if you are still here."
"But I am a Yankee, all considered."
"They won't know that. You're in the south now, Texas, and most of Texas is Confederate. Although you might find a few independent thinkers out here too. I'm told there are whole counties here that are Unionist. This will be one bloody fight, ma'am. And it will do no good to pronounce your feelings to anyone."
"You don't paint a very nice picture.…."
"I'm not trying to. I cannot allow people coming and going during an Indian war too, ma'am. It's too dangerous. You see, it won't be long before the Indians know all about our big war. It will be to their advantage. Washington will be fighting a war between the north and the south. We'll be fighting a war with the Indians. They'll be attacking. They'll know we don't have enough men to defend the fort. We're going to have to prepare for the unknown ma'am. And I'm going to tell you now, you won't like some of the things you'll have to do."
"And where do you stand in this war?" She asked boldly.
"Right now, I'm fighting Indians. But if we must fight ourselves, then I stand with Texas."
"Texas, is Texas any different than any other state?" She asked in innocence.
"Oh yes ma'am. It is. Most will side with the south, just because of the geography, but many here in Texas will sympathize with the North. It's a tough choice for us, Miss…"
"Weston." She finished for him.
"I don't like killing Indians, but they attack, and I'm forced to fight back, as I don't agree with killing whites either."
"Do you look for the Indians to take sides?"
"No, I don't. When we first came to this great country, they did take sides. But now, they have been pushed enough and they fight for themselves, which is understandable. No, they have their own agenda. And they will take advantage of all the abandoned forts here in Texas, I can assure you. The Indian war will be worse than ever now."
"Are you trying to scare me?" She nearly smiled.
"No ma'am, just make you aware."
"Despite the bleak picture you paint, I must tell you that you do not scare me. If we must fight too, then so be it, sir. My brother loved this country you call Texas. He died here. He's buried here. If he could die for it, then I see no reason I couldn't either." She said, putting her hands on her hips now.
She was a very handsome woman in a different and appealing way, and Quirt had to fan his attraction. He'd never met a woman he instantly respected. "You'd take up a gun and fight?" He challenged with a slight smile.
"If it comes to that, yes! I want to live."
"Then let's hope it doesn't come to that."
She gave him a slight smile.
"When our commander left this fort, so ill-equipped to fight the Indians, believe me, this fort changed, and not for the best ma'am. We are in danger here, but there is absolutely nothing we can do, but our best to protect this fort. And mark my words, I will need everyone's help. Up until this time we were more worried about getting the mail through and the wagon trains. We came to this fort to keep the roads open to El Paso, and the defend the travelers west. Now that has to change somewhat."
"May I ask, which side you are on sir?" she waited for his answer patiently.
He looked at her and realized for the first time that it was a pleasure to look at her. She had such a level head, and something stood out about her. He couldn't put his finger on it. Was it the smart jut of her chin, that arched brow that caught him off guard, or that quirk of a smile on her lips? But just being with her made him very aware that she was all woman.
He hung his head a minute, "Right now ma'am, I'm not on any side. I'm to command this post until relieved. My interest is the people inside this fort, keeping them safe, and I imagine that's going to be a very hard thing to do. Some of the settlers will have to move inside the fort too. It's going to get very crowded and it'll be very noisy at times. Have you ever fought Indians?"
"No, I haven't."
"Have you ever fought anyone?" He let a grin slip by.
"Only if you count my brother, at times." She grinned too.
"Well you will before this is over."
"But…" she was speechless as he walked off and didn't give her a chance to object again.
Chapter Three
It was freezing drizzle, and the women stopped long enough to get their winter coats from their trunks which were stored on the fourth wagon, that carried all their supplies. The dead of winter offered little to appreciate this time of year. No one expected Texas to be so cold and icy.
The wind seemed to sieve through those coats, the wagon covers were let down so that it might keep some of the wind out.
Quirt pulled out several bear skins and handed them to the women who had little coverage. They quickly snuggled together to keep warm.
"I never thought it would be this cold in Texas," one lady remarked. "They could have warned us of that."
Jennifer heard her and smiled, "It does seem to have drastic weather changes, doesn't it? Back home when it froze up, it stayed that way for a couple of months. So, you had a chance to get used to it."
That evening the women gathered around the fires the men made, they made three and each were good size, to help warm the women.
The women made a stew that all the men appreciated, and Quirt got out the slickers that were packed for the occasion. Everyone wondered what he was doing as it wasn't raining.
He ordered his men to dig a ditch, narrow enough to keep the wind out, but deep enough to shelter the women, the slickers were lined up on the ditch and a fire was built at both ends. It took half the evening for the men to dig the ditch, and the ladies all watched with fascination. They'd never seen this done and they still didn't understand why they were doing it.
After supper Quirt appeared before them.
"Ladies, when you bed down for the night, please use the slickers provided for you so that it will help insulate you from the cold. If anyone has extra blankets packed, please use them. Temperatures drop drastically sometimes so we want to be prepared. Also share them. Now as soon as you are finished with supper, I want all of you women to put these on."
"Drawers?" One woman shouted in disgust. "You want us to wear those?"
"Yes, ma'am it will keep your legs warmer and keep you from freezing to death. You will all sleep in the ditch that my men dug for you. It will keep the harsh winds off you and help insulate. As many of you that have gloves, please put them on, if you don't have any, let me know, we have a few extra pair for you. If you have wool scarfs wear them. Knit caps would also be good if you have them. The men will help you search your trunks for warm clothing. Our winters here can be drastic as the temperature drops at night like a desert. At Ft. Davis we are lucky, the weather doesn't fluctuate as much, and it shouldn't be an issue, unless we have a twister."
"A twister?" Someone shouted.
"Yeah, a tornado. They come along in the spring sometimes. But Ft. Davis is a haven for the harsh Texas weather. I should warn you also that the weather can change at no notice. It can drop thirty or forty degrees in most areas with nothing more than a simple norther. Here you don't get used to the weather. Anyone that's lived here long, realizes that quickly."
"But we are women sir!" The older woman protested. "You expect us to wear men's drawers?"
"Ma'am, it gets mighty cold out here on the prairie, and no man is gonna disrespect you for keeping warm. I suggest that you sleep with one another to help preserve body heat. Two together should do it. This is not a time to be modest. It's survival. I cannot control the weather, but we can prepare for it. This will be a nightly routine until the weather breaks or until we reach the fort. Texas unfortunately has little spring and what we do have is always unpredictable. If a norther blows up, you'll understand what I'm talking abou
t. The temperature can change in an instant."
"Will we be subjected to this kind of weather the entire journey?" Katherine asked him.
"I don't know. Texas can change from day to day ma'am, but we are well prepared for this. We'll have men on duty during the night, if you need anything they will be at the fires."
Jennifer watched in fascination how Mr. Noble seemed quite prepared for the emergencies. Fascinated, she did just as he asked and her and Katherine bundled together for the night.
"I can't believe we are doing this." Katherine cried.
Jennifer pulled her closer, "We have to survive, no matter what it takes."
"You seem to take all of this in your stride. I don't understand, aren't you the least upset about all of this?"
Jennifer smiled, "Not exactly upset. I'm fascinated that our leader Mr. Noble knows so much about survival. I'm glad he's with us."
"But men's drawers?" Katherine protested, then seeing the light in Jennifer's eyes she began to laugh. "I suppose you are right. It's almost funny. And something to tell my children about, later."
"Almost funny," Jennifer sighed pulling the wool blanket up and big quilt that Katherine supplied closer to them.
"I haven't slept this close to a woman since I was a child." Katherine chuckled.
"Me either."
Despite the cold, they soon realized that the ditch was much warmer than on top the ground, and the women cuddled together to stay warm. The fires helped too, and the men stood guard over them all night, without one word of protest.
The next morning the women came out of the ditches, and fixed breakfast for the men, encouraging them to sleep a bit before eating. They didn't object.
But Quirt didn't let them sleep long as he wanted to push onward toward the fort. "I'm sorry men, but we've got to get back to the fort as soon as we can. There are only a handful of men."
