Mr. Newland’s description caused Scotts eyes to flare with anger.
“Mr. Newland, I am sure it is easier for everyone to blame Indians rather than believe our own kind would turn against us,” Becky said firmly.
Scott flashed her a grateful look.
“Mitchell hates me. Not only because I lived with the Indians as one of them, but because I consider my tribe my brothers. I owe them my life. When my family was massacred, I went after Mitchell. I tracked him down and turned him in to the authorities.”
“I bet he didn’t confess to the crimes.”
“No, he didn’t, Mr. Thompson, but living among the Indians gave me certain skills which helped him come to his senses.”
“You tortured him into a confession?” Mrs. Newland's shock was reflected on the faces of everyone listening.
“Everyone, you got to remember this animal was the reason Scott's family was murdered, his friends, an entire village,”Becky stated. “And the innocent men, women and children on the wagon train. What would you do to the man who hurt us like that Pa?” Becky asked.
Mr. Thompson squirmed uncomfortably in his seat.
“I am sure you would skin someone alive if they touched your Sheila, Mr. Freeman, or your Gracie, Mr. Bradley.” Both men looked as uncomfortable as her pa. Satisfied she looked at Scott to find him looking at her, his eyes full of sadness.
Chapter 32
Becky gulped hard. What had she done wrong? She moved to go to him but one look was all it took to make her stay where she was.
“Contrary to Miss Thompson’s overactive imagination, I didn’t skin Mitchell alive or do anything else to him. Not physically. I simply reminded him we had witnesses to the wagon train massacres. I painted him mind pictures of what the Indians would do to him if I released him into their custody. Thankfully, he had read the same nonsensical articles most travelers use to form their opinions of my brothers.”
“So Mitchell confessed. Why is he still alive?” Pa asked.
“I don’t know. I was assured he would hang, yet we met him at Fort Hall.”
“He was the man who was rude to me and Becky. Horrible man with squinty, mean eyes and a scar on his face,” Eva said, her face screwed up with distaste.
“Yes, Mrs. Clarke, that about sums up Mitchell.”
“But if you met him in Fort Hall and he is after your blood, why hasn’t he attacked you yet? And why would he want to hurt us?”
“He wants his revenge on me, Mr. Bradley, of that there is no doubt. But like most bullies, he is a coward at heart. He won’t come after me alone. And he will need to pay those men he hires. He has learned his lesson. He won’t leave any witnesses alive.”
“So your actions have put our entire train in danger. The lives of my wife and children are at risk due to your...your past choices,” Pa said, his tones and words making Becky cringe.
“Past choices? By that, if you are referring to losing your entire family in an Indian attack on a wagon train, being captured and worked as a slave all before you reach your sixth birthday then yes, I am guilty. The Shoshone took me in when I was near death—after running away from my Indian captors. They were kind to me. Accepted me. Let me marry one of their maidens and have my own family. When she and her family and friends were killed, they didn’t blame me. Unlike you, Mr. Thompson.”
Captain Jones stormed off leaving the crowd behind him speechless.
“I didn’t. I meant... Oh heck, why did he twist my words.”
“He didn’t twist anything, Pa. Can’t you see he's been to hell and back,” Becky spat out.
“Watch your language, girl.”
“Paddy, enough. We owe Captain Jones our lives. If it wasn’t for him, how many of us would be sitting here now?”
“Exactly, Pa. You should be thanking the man not judging him and finding him wanting. I am ashamed of you.”
She ran despite her ma shouting at her to come back. She had to find him.
“I can't believe you could say those things, Pa, after everything Captain Jones has done for us.”
“Leave your pa alone, Johanna,” Rick’s tone was harsher than he usually used.
Johanna opened her mouth but a look from Rick made her close it again. He stepped toward her and took her hand.
“We have a decision to make. Clearly this man Mitchell and his friends are a danger to this train. To all we hold dear. We must be prepared for an attack at any moment.”
“If Captain Jones was no longer our leader, Mitchell wouldn’t have any reason to target us.”
David turned on Mr. Newland, the expression on his face as savage as his tone.
“How can you even contemplate such a thing? Captain Jones has done nothing to deserve such disloyalty. After all that man has been through, you would cast him off? Leave him to fend for himself?”
“Of course he wouldn't. My husband was just thinking aloud. He has an unfortunate habit of doing so.” Mrs. Newland stepped in front of her husband as if to shield him. “There will be no more talk of anyone leaving this train. We have made it this far together. We are going to Oregon as one group or not at all.”
Johanna could have laughed at the formidable expression on the older woman's face, if it were not a moment of crisis.
“Well said, Mrs. Newland. I, too, shall not go any further unless Captain Jones remains in charge,” Rick said giving Johanna's hand a tight squeeze. “We all know the dangers that we could face before we get to our destination. Mitchell and his friends will not make me forsake a man I respect and admire.”
“Me neither.”
“Nor me. There isn’t a kinder man alive than Captain Jones. He could have made us stay at the fort after my husband was killed but he didn’t. Instead, he kept us a part of this train even hunting for us so we didn’t go hungry. I will not repay that loyalty by turning my back on him now,” Mrs. Long said before adding, “Jessie, his friend has been more than just a driver. He has been so kind.” Tears streamed down the woman’s face.
Jessie turned red. “I have worked for the captain for nearly two years. He has always been fair with me—more than fair. I helped him capture that rat Mitchell the first time around. I would have killed that man, most of us would have. But Jones, he insisted on bringing him back to face justice. Look where it got him.”
Johanna fought back tears as one by one everyone in their group pledged the same, including her pa, although he was the last to do so.
“David, perhaps you could go find Becky and Captain Jones,” Rick suggested before turning to the other men. I suggest we all make sure our guns are clean and ready for use.”
“I know how to shoot, Mr. Hughes, my pa showed me.”
“But you are a—” Johanna started to say before Rick interrupted her.
“Thank you, Almanzo. Your skills may come in useful, although I do wish you had remained with the children like I asked. I was looking on you to guard them.”
Almanzo gave a little sigh before running back in the direction of the Hughes’ wagon where Sarah and the older Long girls were entertaining the younger children.
“I hate to say it but we may need him. We aren’t many and none of us are seasoned killers,” Rick said grimly.
“But you are not alone.”
Ma and Mrs. Newland shrieked as an Indian came out of the wooded area. Johanna ran toward him to give him a hug, forgetting the eye watering scent. She hugged him tightly. “I am so glad to see you. Have you been trailing us?”
He nodded, looking over her shoulder at the group behind her.
“Everyone, this is Paco. He is brother to Captain Jones. He will help to protect us.”
Chapter 33
Becky followed Scott as he stormed off. She couldn’t blame him for being annoyed with everyone, especially her pa. She was glad she was wearing pants as he walked fast when angry. She called out to him a couple of times. Whether he heard her or not, she wasn’t sure as he kept walking. Finally, he stopped and she caught up to him, so winded
she had to wait to catch her breath.
“You shouldn’t have followed me, Becky. I need to be alone.”
“Aren’t you sick of being alone?” she demanded.
“What do you mean?”
“You are always shutting everyone out. You need friends, Scott. People who care about you. Love you.”
“I don’t have time for any of that. I need to find Mitchell.”
“For what?”
“He has to die for what he did, Becky. Can’t you see that?”
“Not really. I mean I believe he should be punished, but I don’t see that as your job. You did your best to bring him to justice. What happens to him next is between him and his God.”
He stared at her in disbelief before turning away. “Go back to camp, Becky. You're a girl, you'd never understand.”
She pulled him around to face her, anger flowing over. “Don’t you dare talk to me like that. We feel pain just as much as you do. So I haven’t lost my family, and I know I am very lucky. But if I did, I would want to kill the person who murdered them.”
“Then you know why I have to find Mitchell.”
“No I don’t. You are throwing away a whole future on a man who doesn’t deserve it. How will killing him make you feel? Better? Is it going to bring back your wife or children?”
When he stayed silent, she screamed at him.
“No, it isn’t.” She started thumping his chest with her fists. “It will destroy you. Us. Our future. Why can’t you see that?”
He stood still as she took out her frustration on him. Finally, she stilled. She looked up into his face. His eyes were full of pain and betrayal.
“Scott, I love you. I love you more than I have ever loved anyone. I would go anywhere with you. So long as we are together.”
She reached up on her tippy toes and brushed her lips across his.
Scott’s self-control broke as her lips touched his. He put his arms around her, drawing her closer to him. Kissing her wildly, he let his lips roam down her throat, sucking and licking as he went. His body tightened with need as she pushed her soft curves closer to him. He loved her so much. They could have a wonderful life together. He closed his eyes and for a second he could see happiness. It was so close he could almost touch it. But it wasn’t for him. It wasn’t his destiny.
Scott pushed her gently away from him despite it taking every ounce of self-control not to bed her first. She didn’t deserve to be used like that.
“Becky.”
“Umm,” She responded, her eyes half closed, her body trembling with desire.
“Becky, we can't. We have to go back. I love you, too, but we don’t have a future. Not together. I'm sorry.”
Becky’s eyes widened as his words sunk in. She pulled away from him, her arms wound around her body. “What? But... I don't understand.”
“I'm sorry. I can't.” He turned back toward the camp. “We best get back the others will be looking for us.”
He couldn’t meet her eyes but knew she was staring at him. He could feel her eyes burning into his skin. He didn’t want to see the hurt lurking in their depths. It would match the pain in his soul.
Chapter 34
When Scott returned to the camp, he found everyone staring at a group of Indians. Johanna and David had moved forward to greet Paco but everyone else looked wary.
“My brothers have been trailing you for quite a while. We have seen no sign of the black hearted devil or his friends,” Paco said in his faltering English.
“The what?” David asked.
“My family call Mitchell the Black Hearted Devil,” Captain Jones said as he took two strides to reach his brother. “I am so glad to see you, but why are you so far from the village?”
“The Chief ordered me to find Mitchell. My best chance of that is to follow you.”
Although Paco’s words didn’t inspire confidence, Scott laughed. The others stared at them. It took him a few seconds to remember they couldn’t understand what Paco was saying.
“Paco was sent by our chief to protect us,” Scott explained. It wasn’t the full truth but what they didn't know wouldn’t hurt them.
“Captain Jones, I owe you an apology,” Mr. Thompson said. “I should never have spoken like I did. I hope you will forgive me.”
“It’s forgotten,” Scott said tersely.
“We have been talking,” Becky’s father continued.
Scott clenched his fists knowing this was the moment when they would dispense with his services. Again, he would find himself outside the white man’s world.
“Captain Jones, we want you to lead us to Oregon. Every one of us knows how to shoot and will make sure we are ready to fight this Mitchell whenever he turns up.”
Too shocked to reply, Scott just looked at the group in front of him before looking to Becky. She was looking at him, her expression so sad, his heart felt like it was breaking in two.
“If Mitchell turns up. There is no guarantee he isn’t on his way back East where nobody knows him,” David said, his words meant in reassurance but his tone not quite matching it.
“I vote we continue as we are. We can be vigilant but let's just assume Mitchell has crawled back under whatever rock he came out of. I don’t think we should let a horrible man like that take away our focus from what's important. Getting to Oregon,” Mrs. Newland said. Her tone and stance warning nobody to argue with her.
Scott rubbed his eyes which were watering due to the dust. Nothing to do with emotions or at least that is what he would continue to tell himself. He had never experienced loyalty from white people like what he had just witnessed. It was humbling.
“Go, my brother. We will watch your back,” Paco said softly. “Be safe and when you finally find your head and decide to marry, I will be at your wedding.”
He returned Paco's embrace and then watched his brother leave. He felt Becky move closer but he couldn’t look at her. He’d hurt her deeply. She couldn’t or wouldn’t understand he had to destroy Mitchell.
“What did he say?” she questioned.
“He will watch our back. Mitchell won't take us by surprise.”
“Took him a long time to say that. Did he say anything else?”
“No.” He couldn’t look at her for fear she would see his lie. Paco and everyone else may think he should give up on Mitchell but he was determined to find him and get justice for his family.
Chapter 35
The next few days passed by without any further upset. At first everyone was looking behind them as if expecting Mitchell and his friends to be following. As time went on, they became more concerned with the difficult terrain. Becky woke up on yet another cold morning. She desperately wanted to stay under the cover, the air outside was too chilly. It seemed as soon as they had spotted Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens in view behind it, the weather turned wintery. She put a sweater over her shirt and pants. She put on her moccasins last before going outside, thankful for their comfort and warmth. She wondered how their Indian friends were coping with the weather but then they would be used to it.
The ground was covered in white frost and when she went to get some water, she found it had formed an ice covering. She blew on her hands to warm them up. It was only early September but she guessed this was a warning of just how cold it could get in these mountains. She quickly built up a small fire and set breakfast on to cook. They had agreed to take turns starting breakfast. Pa had suggested they should try to reserve as much of their strength as possible. It was a good suggestion but she wished she hadn’t got the coldest morning. Still, it was pointless thinking about that now. Soon the others would be up and they would be off on another day of travel.
“I need coffee. I can’t remember being so cold. Where did all that frost come from?” Johanna said as she came out of the tent yawning.
“It will warm up later. For now, we just need to eat and get moving. Scott said he wanted us on the road early. He wants to make as much progress as possible.”
T
he camp moved out and traveled along rolling but good roads with few obstacles. Spirits were high despite the threat of Mitchell and his friends. There was a feeling of anticipation as Oregon—their final destination—was growing nearer.
“I want to get to the Grand Round Valley before nightfall. We will camp there. The mountain ascent will begin tomorrow,” Scott said to David as they were riding ahead of the train.
“Is it as difficult as they say?” David asked.
“Depends a lot on the weather. But let’s just say I would prefer to put the Blue Mountains behind us as soon as we can.”
“Scott, have you decided what you will do in Oregon?”
He didn’t want to answer David.
“Scott, I asked you a question.”
“I heard you. You know the answer. It’s pointless repeating it.”
“When you kill Mitchell, what will you do? Even if you get away with murder, you won’t be able to settle in Oregon. There will be a price on your head.”
“I know that.” Did David think he was stupid? He might not have grown up in the white man’s world but he knew their rules.
“I don’t think you do. You can’t have thought this through. I’ve seen the way you look at Becky and she at you. You are throwing away a wonderful future for a man you claim to hate.” David spoke quickly as he tended to do when angry.
“It’s none of your business.” Scott didn’t want David voicing his own fears. He stayed awake at night as his dreams were dominated by Becky.
“Like heck it isn’t. You are my friend and if you are too dumb-headed to know what you are doing is wrong, then I have to tell you.” David lowered his voice, “listen, I kind of understand what you are feeling. As far as I am concerned my pa killed my ma.”
Scott threw David an incredulous look.
“Don’t look at me like that. I am telling the truth. He didn’t kill her with a knife but it may have been kinder. She was about to give birth and knew there was something wrong. We didn’t have much money but he could have got a doctor. Instead, he went drinking and stayed drinking. He left me and my brother alone. Ma and the baby died.” David took a couple of seconds to continue. “It was horrible. He came back drunk. He didn’t even care. As soon as we buried Ma, my brother took off. I haven’t seen him since. I lost count of the amount of times I could have killed my old man but I didn’t. I refused to let him ruin another life.”
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