Camp Camel
The Heart of Texas Book II
BY
RB EATON
Copyright © RB Eaton
2015 First Edition: November 2015
Cover Art: SelfPubBookCovers.com/Shardel
Dedication
To the cover artist that inspire the writers to write. To dreams, guardian angels, truth stranger than fiction that inspire us. To young love, middle aged second chances for love, and old men and women who still find joy in each other’s touch. Most of us will never be as lucky as the heroine of our stories, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still dream that in another life, we were.
Sparrow Hawk
Sparrow Hawk’s eyes showed how serious he took the matter of the white man stealing one of his wives while they were out hunting. The Hardgrove family had paid the price of being in the wrong place at the wrong time as the Comanches came upon them north of San Antonio in the Texas Hill country. One of the braves, Tabukina or Rabbit, handed the young boy to his wife, Eka Huutsuu, to deal with. The boy was crying and had wet his pants. He was covered with the blood of his mother.
Eka Huutsuu or Redbird, looked disapproving of the white boy. He stunk of his own pee and had no courage, but she said nothing and took the boy to the creek and dipped him until the blood washed away like his family then turned him loose. Young Jake Hardgrove cried out for his Momma and Daddy then resorted to calling out the names of his brothers and sisters that were no where in sight. There was nothing familiar about where he was. Their houses were strange, they didn’t talk any language he knew or understood, but the expressions they wore were clear enough. They were not happy with him.
The men wore paint on their faces and had done terrible things to the three year old’s family. They had pulled him from his mother’s dead body. That had been days ago. He tried to tell them he needed to go pee pee, but they didn’t listen and he peed his pants and shit on himself. The man with the feathers gave him to the youngest brave and told him to deal with the hostage. He wanted nothing to do with such filth that soiled himself and cried like a woman. He was regretting not taking an older boy or at least taking the woman with the child, but what was done was done.
If Jake had understood Comanche maybe he could have understood better why they were so upset, but he didn’t and Sparrow Hawk wasn’t in the mood to coddle some young buck that wasn’t brought up like he brought up his own sons. He wanted his unborn son. White man’s treaty or not, he would get his son or there would be more blood spilt. He didn’t intend to go quietly to this new land and hope the white man did the right thing. Their scribbles on the paper were lies and worthless promises.
Jake saw another boy about two years older than him approach him with curiosity. The boy wore pants of buckskin but was bare chested. He had a tan, but lighter than the men who had taken him away and his hair was dark, but a brownish color similar to him. An older woman walked out and pointed at him telling the young boy she called Peekwi or Fish, to stay with the white boy and take his younger brother with him while she got the men some food.
Peekwi looked at Jake and called over to Wasapi or Bear to follow him and went down to the creek and motioned for Jake to follow. Jake wasn’t so sure about that, but it seemed better than staying close to painted men and after Peekwi came back and took his hand, he went with the Indian boy. Peekwi pointed to himself and said, “Peekwi.” Then he pointed to his little brother who was about Jake’s age and said, “Wasapi.” Then Peekwi pointed to Jake and looked at him waiting for his name. He had to repeat this a a time or two then Jake said, “Jake,” when he got poked. Peekwi and Wasapi moved into the creek and held their hands out in the water and waited for a fish. Finally one swam right into Wasapi’s hands as he wigged his fingers like a worm. Jake shrieked with joy and the fish escaped before Wasapi could throw him out. The older boy shook his head and said something, then covered the boy’s mouth with his hand and repeated the word for Jake a couple times then went back to fishing. The next time the fish was in Peekwi’s hands and he threw the fish to the shore and looked at his hostage then motioned for him to try. Jake waded into the stream and found himself being shown how to hold his hands by the boy his own age and how to wiggle his fingers and stay still. Jake didn’t catch anything, but at least he was busy and not crying.
One of the elders in the village walked down to the water looking over the new hostage and shook his head. Peekwi’s older two brothers were with the old man as he pointed to the boy and told them, “See how they don’t teach their sons. Your brothers have to show the white man’s son how to fish.”
Both of the boys had hair as dark as Sparrow Hawks. All four of the boys had brown eyes, but Wasapi’s hair color was more a honey brown like his skin. They were Sparrow Hawk’s sons. The oldest Itsee or Root told the old Grandfather, Eka Waapi or Red Cedar, “We could get her back Grandfather. I know we could sneak into their Fort. It is not well protected.”
His slightly younger brother Paaka or Arrow agreed, “Make them want to let her go. Make their life miserable like that one yelling and screaming like some baby in the warrior’s ears. Rabbit said he soiled himself and cried.”
Red Cedar said, “Crying would not make the soldiers free her Paaka.”
Paaka said, “No, put rattlesnakes in their houses, peyote in their water, sand fleas, worms, make them think they are cursed Grandfather.”
Red Cedar chuckled, “Ghosts, bad spirits and make them fight each other? You are your mother’s child Paaka. You think like a white man, but maybe that’s what we need to do. Nahuu was brave and has given Sparrow Hawk many sons. It could be this one is a squaw, but let’s hope for one more brave to remember her by. They can have that one back and the sooner the better.”
Itsee said, “We have white man’s clothes the Friar gave us. Paaka and I could dress like them, hide our faces under the Spanish hats and wonder into their Camp as those who trade goods to their cook. We’ve seen them. Some look dark like us.”
Red Cedar looked at Itsee, “You’ve found her while your father was making war?”
Itsee looked down, “Yes Grandfather. We followed the Gray Soldier as he tried to shame her offering Nahuu to the white men before my father has put her aside.”
Red Cedar frowned, “She is not your mother now. Your father has no choice but to set her aside. It is only the baby that can come.”
Itsee said, “She stood up bravely as they shamed her. She did not talk. She has not betrayed us. But no one saw the beauty of her spirit and she has no one. They keep her with these things they call a camels in a pen ten feet tall and guarded. They are clearly afraid of us for they have a house with bars that could hold her easily and yet she is with their most feared beasts.”
Red Cedar seemed pleased to hear that, “That is good. I have seen these animals. Strange creatures, but the great spirit must be pleased with her to offer her their protection. Nahuu knows the truth that her time with the Comanche is over and yet she is loyal. Your father will take a new wife tonight. You must help him forget his sorrow at her loss, then we will see if we can get your new brother before his sorrow leads us into a war we can not win. There is a time to fight and a time to think of tomorrow Itsee. As long as the white man has hope, he will not attack. You have done well. Now if the spirits will give up the unseen face to the light of day, things will work out.”
There was a great fire with drums and dancing that night as the braves celebrated their revenge. Jake was brought out for all to see as Sparrow Hawk told them of the promise he gave the White Men in return for their raid on his people. Sparrow Hawk showed them the white man’s scalps.
Itsee stepped up. He was about twelve and on the verge of matur
ing past the stage of boyhood. He would be considered a brave and old enough to make war soon. Itsee stepped into the light and took a piece of his father’s clothes and said, “My mother can no longer be with us. She has been shamed by the white man who took her back to her own people. I believe he did this so he can keep her for himself. He knows she is braver than his white wives and wiser. She stood before them and they spit on her, they threw eggs and food at her and they called her names I can not say. She never said one word or cried, just stood proud. My father is her husband no more. She can not say these words for herself so I say them for her. Paaka and I will steal her back so that she may let you know this is true!”
Sparrow Hawk looked at his oldest son and with great sorrow in his heart took the piece of buckskin in Itsee’s hand and held it up, “Nahuu and I are no more. She is now white and as a ghost to us. We have agreed to this treaty with their Great White Chief Davis. We will make war on the White Chief Lincoln with Chief Davis’ tribe. I claim her unborn child as my son and will make the white man who took her from me before she set me aside return him. I take Onaabi, my wife’s sister as a new wife and mother to my unborn son.”
Salt or Onaabi had a small child still nursing of her own but had lost her husband to the pox the white man called measles not long ago. She would be the wet nurse for Sparrow Hawk’s unborn son and raise him with her own. Sparrow Hawk turned to Jake and pointed in the boy’s direction, “Onaabi shall care for this one and help raise Peekwi and Wasapi. My first wife Tatsinuupi shall be called the mother of Itsee and Paaka from this day forward.”
Tatsinuupi or Star smiled. She had no children who lived and now she claimed Itsee and Paaka as her own sons securing her place at Sparrow Hawk’s fire. Itsee took his knife and cut his hand as did Paaka. They took Tatsinuupi’s hand and made a slice across her palm and mixed their blood. Peekwi took his knife and cut his own hand and Wasapi’s hand and walked over to Onaabi’s and sliced her palm and they mingled blood.
With that Nahuu’s sons had been claimed by other wives and Nahuu’s name was changed to Puetuyai or Ghost. Only the unborn child who’s face they did not know yet and was not named would be considered Comanche.
Itsee and Paaka found their way to Camp Verde dressed as Mexican children with large sombrero hats and loose white shirts and pants held by draw strings. They brought gourds and roots to trade to the cook and begged to work in exchange for a meal a day.
The cook looked at the lean boys, “You don’t look like you know how to cook to me.”
The boys knew words of Spanish and English from being taught by the Friar and the white boys that had been captured and replied, “Fish, we fish good. Gather wood, feed and keep horses, milk goats.”
About that time Sergeant Cook strolled up, “What’s this Cookie?”
The Cookie replied, “Beggars trying to trade their gourds and and roots for a decent meal. They say they’re willing to work for food Sergeant.”
Sergeant Cook smiled, “Really? You’d do anything I asked boys?”
Itsee looked at Paaka and back to the Sergeant and nodded, “Even feed foul smelling beast you hide in pen. Not eat much in long time other than squash.”
That got the Sergeant’s attention, “You’d help with camels?”
Both boys nodded quickly but Paaka added, “Food first.”
The Sergeant laughed, “Well, can’t say I blame you for that hijo, so what are your names?”
Itsee said, “Juan and Pablo Diaz”
Paaka added, “Paul if you don’t know Spanish. His name is John. The Friar used to call him Root and me Arrow because he was the root of all evil and I ran straight as an arrow out of there.”
Cookie burst out laughing, “So you’re orphans the two of you. I thought you looked like you might have some white blood in ya there boys. Bet the Comanches got your parents.” Cookie looked at the Sergeant and back to the boys, “You’re not scared of Indians are ya? We got one in the pen and you’d have to take care of her too.”
Itsee spoke up quickly, “Food first.”
Sergeant Cook nodded, “Alright boys. We’ll try you out today. If you please the cook, you can stay tomorrow. Cookie get our new camel herders some grub.” After both boys had a bowl of oatmeal they looked at each other like they’d been cheated. They expected meat.
They had ate what they were served but could smell the beef cooking in a stew for later in the day. Cookie grinned, “I know that oatmeal is right poor being cold. It’s better warm, but it will get you by until tomorrow. That meat will be tender enough to eat by then if there is any left after the soldiers get through. How about you take this bowl to our special guest in the camel pen. You can’t miss her, she’s the only squaw on the Fort. Just be careful not to let her take you hostage so set that down about ten feet away from her or she might eat you raw!” Cookie thought he’d put the fear of God in them, but both John and Paul looked at him like he’d lost his mind. Cookie said, “Hop to it John. Take Paul with you and when you’ve finished bring back what she hasn’t eaten from yesterday and you can have that if you want. Make sure there is clean water for the animals and gather some of that sage brush and put it in there for those foul smelling beasties to eat.”
Itsee took the bowl and frowned and asked, “Water?”
Cookie said, “She drinks from the trough like the camels.”
The boys swallowed, “Definitely shamed. It was good Ghost wasn’t their mother or they would have to kill the man before they got their brother back.”
Itsee looked at his brother, “Paul is your name. John is mine while we’re here. Don’t look her in the eyes or call her any name. Don’t speak to her or she will know us.”
Paaka nodded and they ran for the door that led inside the camel pen. Sergeant Cook introduced the boys to Private White as John and Paul Diaz recently escaped from the good Friar at San Antonio in search of better food. Private White smiled, “Mixed for sure, but as long as you feed her and those beasts you’re alright with me. Sergeant says Comanches got your folks. Well we got one, or a white that thinks she’s one. Might be we can have some fun with that if you know what I mean.”
Paul said, “Meat first.”
That got a laugh from the Sergeant, “What you didn’t like cold oatmeal? Well maybe I can arrange for something better if you’d do me a favor. How are you at catching rattle snakes boys?”
Itsee nodded, “Not until we get meat.”
Sergeant Cook nodded, “All you want is right through that door. You’ll see it when you put that bowl down. Now hurry up.”
The boys scurried into the pen looking cautiously around them hearing the sounds of camels complaining about something. They looked at the water trough. It was near empty with mud in the bottom. Itsee shook his head and found a water bucket. Itsee told Paaka, “You take this to her while I start to get some water from the stream.”
Itsee headed back toward the door and pushed on it but it didn’t budge. After a time or two Private White opened the door and told him, “Knock John when you want out and say something so I know it’s you like John the Camel boy wants out.”
Itsee said, “John the Camel boy wants out. No water in trough.”
Private White pointed toward the well in the center of the yard, “Well is over there.” John walked slowly toward the round circle watching the girl that was getting a bucket of water herself. He noticed what she did and made a mental note of where she went with her water. She had blonde hair and it went in circles. About that time Dallas strolled by and noticed the boy, “Well hello there. Who are you?”
Itsee took a deep breath. It was the chief who shamed Ghost. Dallas repeated, “Cat got your tongue son? I don’t think I know you. What’s your name?”
Itsee said, “John the Camel boy.” Dallas looked at the bucket in his hand and back toward the Camel pen and how lean the boy was.
Dallas said, “I see, new hire are you?”
Itsee ran for the well and quickly managed to get a bucket of wat
er and ran sloshing it back toward Private White.
Bryan strolled up to Dallas, “Scared the shit out of him Dallas. Cookie said they were orphans, runaways. From the looks of that one, worked hard. He’s lean, but lots of muscles under there.”
Dallas looked at Bryan, “Not a good time to have strays running around with her here.”
Bryan replied, “Well, they shouldn’t starve or be keep from a little food because of her either don’t you think? I can’t think of a good time to have Sparrow Hawk’s wife here. You do intend to move her sometime soon?”
Paaka found himself staring at a camel that was down on it’s knees resting in a stall. The thing looked like a huge elk with no horns and a deformed back. There was this big lump in the middle of it. Then another one had two lumps. Someone must have beat them badly for their skins to lump up like that. He slowly moved in front of each open stall until he smelled her. Ghost was close. He pulled his hat down over his face and slowly rounded the corner. There were bowls of uneaten food. This thing he brought called oatmeal, small portions of some liquid broth that the flies were swarming around with a chuck of meat and some sort of white stick that looked like a small piece had been eaten. Paaka sat the new bowl down and looked up to see his mother’s back as she lay in the hay still like death then he saw her body move and she turned over looking at him as he put the bowl down and scooted it toward her.
She tried to reach him, but the chains on her leg held her to the post and her hand fell short. He didn’t dare look her in the face and turned grabbing the old bowl of oatmeal and soup. He left the bread in the dirt and walked out of her sight quickly. He could hear her pulling against the chain, but no words called after him. He hadn’t expected it to be so hard. To see her chained like a dog and food not fit to eat set out just out of her reach except for the loaf of bread. He realized when he smelled it she had ate a little bread, then someone had throw it out away from her. They were taking their revenge on her for Sparrow Hawk’s anger. There was no water. The man they followed had given her both water and food. He must not know what happened behind his back. Well it wouldn’t matter. They could play their game and make them sorry for the shame they put on her. Then she would disappear like her new name.
Camp Camel: The Heart of Texas Page 1
