Treasured Grace

by Tracie Peterson

  “Sorry. The river has it now. It’s way too deep and cold for anyone to go after it.” He returned to the job of rowing.

  Grace glanced down at her feet, where only moments before the bag had been safely kept. She had no idea what they were going to do now. She had nothing to work with. No herbs to offer for healing. No money to see them resettled.

  Looking up, she found Hope watching her. There seemed to be only a hint of regret in her sister’s eyes, but that was quickly extinguished, and Hope turned away once again.

  Grace looked back at the water and shook her head. “That was all the money we had.”

  When they finally arrived at the fort on the eighth of January, it was as if everyone knew they were finally safe. The looks on the faces of the survivors held relief. For the widows, that relief was mingled with sorrow. Sadly, Grace knew they’d have little time to grieve. Just as it was on the trail west, women were expected to put aside their anguish and remarry.

  “I want to see my husband.” Eliza Hall had been told her husband, Peter, had left Fort Nez Perce in hopes of getting armed troops to save the captives.

  The man she spoke to shook his head. “Who’s your husband?”

  “Peter Hall. He escaped the massacre and fled to Fort Nez Perce. Mr. McBean said he then came to this fort in order to get help.”

  “Nobody came here that I know of.” He looked at a couple of men employed by the company. “Any of you fellas seen a Peter Hall?” They shook their heads.

  “He has to be here,” Eliza countered, her voice sounding panicked. “He must be. They said he’d come here.” Her five children crowded closer, sensing their mother’s despair.

  The man seemed to realize the situation and smiled. “Look, just because I ain’t seen him doesn’t mean he hasn’t come. Why don’t you go rest with the others, and I’ll get the word out and see if we can find him?”

  Eliza let herself be led away by Mrs. Saunders. The woman talked in hushed tones as they crossed the room and took a seat at one of the tables.

  “We have food and drink ready for you,” one of the company men announced. “Afterward we will show you where you can clean up and sleep. Your ordeal is over, and you are safe. Tomorrow we’ll take you to Portland and then on up the Willamette to Oregon City.”

  There were murmurs throughout the weary crowd. Grace could see the smirk on Hope’s face and knew what her sister was thinking. Their ordeal wouldn’t be over for a very long time—if ever.

  They took their places at tables filled with plenty of food. Grace thought she’d never smelled anything quite so good as the ham and roasted meat that awaited them. She found herself glancing around the room for Alex, but he was nowhere to be found. She had seen very little of him on their trip, although he’d been with them the entire journey. Having him near made her feel safe, but knowing he purposefully sought to keep his distance made her sad. Perhaps it was for the best. She and her sisters would settle in Oregon City and wait for their uncle to return, while Alex would lose himself somewhere in the wilds.

  “Did you know that Alex is going away?” Mercy asked, taking a seat beside Grace.

  “Yes. He has to get back to trapping. I heard them say that in another month or so the furs will be at their best.” Grace hoped her tone didn’t reveal the turmoil in her heart.

  “I wish he’d stay,” Mercy said.

  I wish he would too. Grace didn’t speak the words aloud, but she felt them all the same.

  “I really like him.”

  Grace swallowed the lump in her throat. “I know.”

  And I love him.

  They ate in silence, as did most of the women and children. When Hope got up from the table and left the room, Mercy leaned over and hugged Grace.

  “I’m sorry she threw away your carpetbag. I know you had all of the stuff Mama gave you and our money.”

  Grace looked into her sister’s blue-green eyes. “Thank you for the hug.”

  Mercy frowned and looked down at her plate. “I’m sorry that I haven’t been a better sister. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings by staying with Mary Ann all the time.”

  “It’s all right. I know you two are good friends, and since you went through so much together, you probably need each other.”

  “She’s all alone. Her papa is far away and her mama’s dead. She’s scared because she doesn’t know where they’ll make her go.”

  “Perhaps she could stay with us, although I have no idea how we’re going to survive. I thought we had enough money to get through the winter, but now there’s nothing. I can’t even make a living with the herbs.”

  “But you know how to find them and make new tonics and vinegar. You’ve been making vinegar forever. It shouldn’t be too hard.”

  Grace didn’t realize until that moment the depth of her discouragement. “I don’t know, Mercy. I doubt I can wait that long.”

  Mercy looked puzzled. “Then what will you do?”

  “I shall probably have to marry someone. All the way on our journey here, the men talked about the fact that none of us need be widows for long. There are at least twenty men for every woman in Oregon Country, and they all want wives because that will allow them to claim additional land and provide someone to help with the work.”

  “I don’t want you to marry one of those men,” Mercy said. “Mama said we should only marry for love.”

  “But that was before.” Grace shook her head. “That was a lifetime before.”

  “Mrs. Martindale, might I have a word?” Peter Ogden helped Grace up from the table and led her away from the others. “I need to let you know something tonight before you leave with the others for Oregon City.”

  “What is it, Mr. Ogden?”

  He smiled. “Good news, for you and your sisters. There is an account here at the fort for you to draw on. The balance is substantial and will help you to re-outfit. We have some dresses on hand that should fit each of you, as well as other things women are fond of.”

  “An account? How can there be an account?” She shook her head, thinking momentarily of Alex. Had he arranged this? Then just as that thought came to mind, she thought of her uncle. She’d talked at length with Ogden about her uncle when they’d been at Fort Nez Perce. “Did my uncle do this? Does he have an account with the Hudson’s Bay Company?”

  “Of course he does.” Ogden looked sheepish. “The important thing is that you have credit to get some of the things you need. I know you lost your carpetbag and medicines on the river. I think we can set you up with some replacements—bottles and stoppers and such. You can purchase the herbs in Portland and Oregon City, and then come spring, you’ll be able to start hunting for your own. This land is rich with resources.”

  Grace breathed a sigh of relief. The credit wouldn’t solve their problem in full, but it would help.

  Chapter

  18

  Alex watched the women and children depart from the fort to head to Oregon City. Dr. McLoughlin had been making arrangements for the victims ever since hearing about their plight. Since he owned most of Oregon City and most folks there were indebted to him, he had the full cooperation of well-established families to help him care for the newly released victims. Alex felt confident that folks would rise up to help. That was the way of things in the west. Everyone tried to be generous, knowing that next time trouble struck, it could be them in the position of need.

  Alex knew from Peter Ogden that Grace had taken advantage of the account set up for her at the company store. He also told Alex that she thought her uncle had arranged it. Alex had told him to do nothing to change her mind. Knowing that he had been able to give Grace at least this small thing made Alex feel better. Hopefully it would ease her sadness over the way he’d behaved.

  Once the survivors were gone, Alex felt the freedom to let himself be seen at the fort. Volunteers were gathering to answer the call to arms that had gone out when the massacre was announced over a month ago. The attitude of the men made Alex nervous. They w
ere eager to find the Indians responsible and see them hanged. Unfortunately, just as he’d feared, there were a great many who wanted to wipe out the native peoples altogether.

  Alex thought of the many friends he’d made among the northwest tribes and the whites who had settled there. Would they always be at odds with one another? The would-be soldiers at the fort had asked Alex to join them, but he declined, telling them he had a prior commitment. He could hardly tell them that he had no stomach for the mass annihilation of a people who for the most part were innocent of what had happened.

  Leaving them to their stories of glory and dreams of victory, Alex prepared to leave the fort. He purchased a few things he’d promised to bring Sam and then made plans to board the boat headed back to Fort Nez Perce.

  “The territory isn’t safe for a white American man to be out on his own right now,” Ogden told him as Alex prepared to leave.

  “I’m French-Canadian as well as American, and the Nez Perce have welcomed me into their tribe. Many of the other tribes in this part of the country know me and have done business with me. They know me to be honorable in our dealings, so I don’t think I’ll be in any great peril.”

  “That remains to be seen. The Indians are riled up. They know the government isn’t going to just sit still after what’s happened. You can kill a few men and no one thinks much about it, but if you attack a peaceful missionary and his wife, then kill others and take their wives and children hostage, you’re going to bear the wrath for your actions. Men have been called up from all over this area. They’re heading to the mission as soon as their numbers reach five hundred. They intend to act as militia and bring the Cayuse in for a trial.”

  “I doubt they’ll ever catch up to any of them.” Alex looked back at the river. Under the heavy, overcast sky, it looked a dark slate gray. “The Cayuse know this land better than we do. They’ve also got allies in various tribes at hand.”

  “As well as some enemies. Especially now. The Nez Perce are on record as having nothing to do with this attack.”

  “I can vouch for the Nez Perce, as I know Mr. Spaulding has already done. They are peaceful and have proven themselves helpful to us over and over. They escorted Spaulding and his family through hostile territory just to ensure they reached Fort Nez Perce. I think their loyalty is evident. However, I wouldn’t call them an enemy to the Cayuse. Many of their families are intermarried, and that makes for a solid bond.”

  Ogden nodded, then rubbed his chin. “True enough, but I think a strong show of force on our part will coax other Indian tribes to come to our way of thinking.”

  “Or it may cause the whites to believe all Indians are bad. I fear that if you send five hundred men to the mission, all they will see is the color of Indian skin and judge them all guilty.”

  “That remains to be seen. We haven’t yet put those numbers together. I will warn you, however, that there have been rumors of trouble stirring along the river. The Dalles might be in danger of attack. Whitman’s nephew Perrin is there, and in the wake of what happened at the Whitman Mission, no one is taking a chance. They are arming up. Some of the supplies traveling with you will be left there. I think our troubles are just beginning.”

  Alex hated to admit it, but he couldn’t agree more. He extended his hand. “Ogden, you’re a good man. I hope you’ll be the voice of reason.” But even a voice of reason could be drowned out by the enraged rantings of five hundred men.

  “Travel with both eyes open,” Peter Ogden advised.

  Alex reached inside his shirt and pulled out a letter. All night he’d toyed with the idea of sending it. “I wonder if you’d post this east when the mail goes out.”

  Ogden took the envelope and nodded. “Of course.” He glanced down at the address and smiled. “Is this some lady love?”

  “My sister,” Alex said, still not certain he should send the letter, but before he could say anything more, Ogden had tucked the envelope in his pocket.

  Seeking his place on the boat, Alex breathed a sigh of relief when they cast off. He took up an oar to help with the work. It did him good to keep occupied with something other than the threat of attacks and revenge. However, the relief he’d hoped for didn’t come. Rowing required no real thought, and that left his mind free to dwell on Grace.

  The more he wrestled with his feelings for her, the more he realized that those feelings wouldn’t be easily ignored. For both their sakes, he’d do well to stay away for good. At least until he knew for certain what he was facing in New Orleans.

  Of course it would take many months before the letter reached Adelina. Then there was the matter of how his own family would respond to hearing from him. It had been ten years. They might be happy to learn of his well-being, but they also might wish to have nothing to do with him.

  But I can’t have a future with Grace until I’ve laid to rest the demons of the past.

  His thoughts betrayed him. He did want a future with Grace. Since coming west, he’d never considered settling down to marry and raise a family. Even when Sam told him of women in the village who fancied him. The life of a trapper was much too hard on women and children. That meant he’d need to figure out something else to do with his life before he could take a wife.

  He gave a heavy sigh. There were so many questions and issues that had to be resolved.

  “But everything starts with clearing my name,” he muttered.

  Dr. John McLoughlin was a giant of a man standing some six feet four inches. His snowy white hair fell to his broad shoulders like a lion’s mane. He was treated with great respect and in many cases great affection, although there were also those who resented him, as was true for most men of power.

  “I’m glad to have you here in Oregon City,” he told Grace and her sisters. He had been working to see all of the hostages settled with small houses of their own or with other established families who had room to spare.

  “I’d like to know if my uncle Edward Marsh has returned. I was told he went to California to buy cattle, and we had hoped to find him returned.”

  The man’s piercing blue eyes narrowed. “So you are the nieces of Edward. I must say I’m especially glad to make your acquaintance. We heard you were among the victims from the attack on the mission. But you should know your uncle isn’t here at present.”

  Grace nodded. “I see.”

  “But you needn’t be disappointed. He’s only been gone a couple of months, and the trip to bring back cattle will take at least twice that long—maybe longer. He did say to put you into his house at once if you were to arrive before his return.”

  “He did?” She could have cried. “So he must have received my letter.”

  “Indeed. I don’t recall exactly when it arrived, but I know he was happy to hear that you and your sisters were coming. Then I was notified that you and your sisters were among those at the mission. Knowing you would arrive today, I had the place made ready.”

  Grace breathed a sigh of relief. “Where is his house?”

  “It’s a little place on the far side of town just beyond the church. It sits not far from the river. I think you’ll be able to make yourselves quite comfortable there.”

  Grace looked at Hope and Mercy. “Did you hear that? We have a home.”

  Hope looked away, but Mercy pulled on Grace’s sleeve. “Can Mary Ann come and stay with us?”

  “She’s speaking of Mary Ann Bridger,” Grace explained to McLoughlin. “They are good friends, and Mary Ann’s father has yet to be notified of her whereabouts.”

  McLoughlin nodded, but his answer was negative. “No, child. A home has already been provided for her, and as I understand it, she’s not been well.”

  Mercy nodded. “She and I had the measles, but she was still sick when the Indians attacked us. She didn’t get much better after that.”

  “Well, hopefully she will now,” McLoughlin replied with a smile. “If you’ll come with me, I’ll show you to your uncle’s house.”

  “What about th
e things I purchased at Fort Vancouver?” Grace asked. She hadn’t bought all that much, but it was enough that it had been secured in a crate and left at the dock. “It looks like we may get more rain.” It had rained off and on since they’d arrived at Fort Vancouver.

  “I will see that one of the men brings it over. Now come along.”

  Grace walked beside McLoughlin while Mercy and Hope followed. Grace asked him a variety of questions about the small town and the safety of the citizens from Indian attack.

  “We’re well established and have a great many armed men—and women,” McLoughlin replied. “From time to time there are threats, but usually the matters are resolved without violence.”

  Grace wasn’t sure his words gave her much comfort, and she decided she would obtain a gun and learn how to handle it.

  They walked past a great many houses, a hotel, and other businesses. It wasn’t at all a big town, but it was the biggest Grace had seen since coming west. She was surprised to find that most of the buildings were built from finished lumber rather than logs.

  “Your buildings aren’t what I expected,” she told McLoughlin. “I presumed with all the trees, we would find more log cabins.”

  “We have several lumber mills here. We mill wood and make very fine lumber. We are now selling to people in California, in fact. I ship it down the coast and am met with a very respectable profit.”

  “I’m sure.” She caught sight of the church steeple. “I will enjoy going to church again. It’s been such a long time since that was possible.”

  “We have more than one. If you are of the Catholic faith, as am I, it will be my pleasure to introduce you.”

  Grace smiled. “I’m not, but thank you. Is there a school?”

  “Yes. In fact, we have two. There is a private school that meets in the Methodist church. It’s run by Mrs. Thorton. A lot of folks, however, can’t afford such luxury and school their children in the public school, while others are taught at home. Education is very important.” He picked up his pace, and Grace had to hurry to keep step with him.